Topic:
Ōtūmoetai Pā (Tauranga)
Ōtūmoetai Pā was the most significantly populated site in the Western Bay of Plenty between 1600 and 1865. It was considered the 'main stronghold' of Tauranga Māori with early estimates of Ngāi Te Rangi at Ōtūmoetai Pā put at around 2,000 warriors, women, children and older people in 1827. Sea-going vessels ranged from large waka to fishing canoes. Like all pā, by 1844 Ōtūmoetai had undergone modifications to cope with the advent of muskets into warfare. As it was situated on land confiscated by the government after the New Zealand Wars of 1864, the people who lived at Ōtūmoetai Pā were forced to leave their ancestral home. Story researched and written by Debbie McCauley.
According to Historian Trevor Bentley, Ōtūmoetai Pā is of particular significance to NZ and New Zealanders for 4 reasons:
Firstly, in February 1832, it was the scene of the largest intertribal artillery siege of the Intertribal Musket Wars. The Ngapuhi predatory raider Titore Takiri campaigned from the Bay of Islands with between 600 and 800 warriors and a siege train of ten ships' guns which were a mix of cannon and carronades. The missionary leader Rev Henry Williams, who accompanied the expedition in the hope of making peace between Ngapuhi and Ngāi Te Rangi, recorded the events surrounding the siege in detail in his (published) Journal. On 16 March 1832, the Ngapuhi gunners subjected the pā to an intensive day long bombardment before settling in for a two week siege which proved unsuccessful. Ngāi Te Rangi, who had at least two cannon in Ōtūmoetai Pā, bombarded the Ngapuhi gunners and Hans Tapsell's vessel which turned up in the harbour during the siege to supply Ngapuhi with six extra cannon and munitions. Titore the took his taua down harbour to bombard Maungatapu Pā before giving up and returning to the Bay of Islands.
Secondly, Ōtūmoetai Pā was the destination for the largest Māori amphibious expedition of the Musket Wars. According to Williams, the Ngapuhi fleet that voyaged south to the Bay of Plenty in 1832 comprised a mix of 80 canoes and sailing cutters (Williams only identifies the cutters owned by the chiefs Titore Takiri, Arama Pi and Wharepoaka).
Thirdly, Ōtūmoetai Pā is of special interest as it was one of the earliest 'gunfighter pā' described by Europeans (Henry Williams), during the Musket Wars and it was certainly one of the strongest. Modified to resist and, by 1830, to deliver cannon and musket fire, its defenders resisted at least five attacks by musket armed invaders between 1818 and 1832 and unusually for these times, the pā of course, was never taken in battle. (In 1835 the Rev William Wade described Ōtūmoetai as 'the largest pā I have yet seen.')
Fourthly and most importantly, Ōtūmoetai Pā in March 1832, was the location of New Zealands largest artillery battle. More artillery pieces were accumulated and fired during siege (18 guns) than were assembled by General Cameron (17 pieces) for his great bombardment of Gate Pā 32 years later.
Reference: Bentley, Trevor. 'Tribal Guns, Tribal Gunners,' M Phi thesis in History, University of Waikato, 1997, pages 164-177.

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Ōtūmoetai Pā represents an important period in the history of Tauranga. The pā was an economic, political and religious centre between 1836-1865.
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Together with Oreanui, and Matuaiwi, it is one of three pā located on the Ōtūmoetai peninsula. Each supported a large population.
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There is a very old titoki tree on the pā. According to Māori tradition the titoki is one of the most important species. Chiefs were buried under this tree or their bones were hung to dry on the branches.
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The peace stone, a large flat stone that is rough on one side and smooth on the other, is significant because Ngāi Te Rangi and Arawa made peace over it in September 1845, after a decade of warfare.
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In 2004 the last remnant of the pā was purchased by Tauranga City Council from Alister Hugh Matheson (1925-2011), whose family had lived on the land since 1865.
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The Park was officially opened to the public in 2012 with the blessing of the Waharoa (gateway).
Timeline (unless otherwise stated, Ōtūmoetai refers to the general area where the Ōtūmoetai Pā was located. Ōtūmoetai is now a Tauranga suburban area):
Sources:
Bay of Plenty Times (3 May 2005). Historic Matua pa find spurs funds call.
Bay of Plenty Times (14 March 2007). Historic Tauranga property safeguarded (p. 5).
Bay of Plenty Times (7 December 2012). Opening of Pa recalls stirring local history.
Bentley, Trevor (1997). Tribal Guns, Tribal Gunners. M Phi thesis in History, University of Waikato (pp. 164-177).
Crosby, R. D. (1999). The Musket Wars: a history of inter-iwi conflict 1806-45. (NZR MAO 993.01 CRO).
Jenks, Harold J (1991). Forgotten Men: The Survey of Tauranga and District, 1864-1869 (NZR 993.421 JEN).
McCauley, Debbie (2013). Alister Hugh Matheson (1925-2011)
McCauley, Debbie (2013). Tapu Titoki (Otumoetai Pa).
Porter, J.P. (n.d.). The Story of Otumoetai Pa (Tauranga City Libraries: Research Collections. Sladden Māori, 993.421 POR).
Rorke, Jinty (2011). Alister Hugh Matheson 1925-2011. In Historical Review Vol. 59, No. 1 (pp. 3-4).
Rorke, Jinty (199?). James Farrow's Trading Post (Tauranga historic interpretation signs, 993.421 TAU).
Rorke, Jinty (199?). Otumoetai Catholic Mission (Tauranga historic interpretation signs, 993.421 TAU).
Stokes, Evelyn (1980). A History of Tauranga County. Palmerston North, New Zealand: Dunmore Press (NZR 993.421 STO).
Tauranga City Council (2007). Otumoetai Historic Reserve.
Tauranga City Libraries: Research Collections (n.d.). Otumoetai Pa (Vertical File).
Tauranga City Libraries: Research Collections (n.d.). Papers relating to the history of the Catholic Mission Station and Catholic Church at Otumoetai (Sladden, AMS 210).
Articles from the Journal of the Tauranga Historical Society:
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"Arawa" Farm, Otumoetai - A.H. Matheson. 48:Ar1-18; 66:18-28.
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Bentley Farm, Otumoetai. 28:20-21.
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The Catholic Mission Church at Otumoetai. 45:24.
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Early Otumoetai: Corrections - A.H. Matheson. 45:19.
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Early Otumoetai and Judea - Kate Ainsworth. 43:17-19.
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Hori Tupaea of Otumoetai -J.P. Porter. 45:21-24.
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Hunting at Otumoetai - A.H. Matheson. 47:5-18.
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List of Artifacts Found in Otumoetai Pa Area. Appendix to "Living With the Past (Otumoetai Pa, Tauranga) - J.P. Porter. 26:21-22.
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Living With the Past (Otumoetai Pa, Tauranga) - J.P. Porter. 26:10-22.
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Otumoetai Catholic Chapel Site - A Correction - A.H. Matheson. 54:2.
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Otumoetai in the Middle and Late Nineties - Kate L. Ainsworth. 13:4-6.
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Otumoetai Pa and the Early Times in Tauranga - A.H. Matheson. 52:OT1-20; 54:OT(2)1-20.
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The Roman Catholic Mission at Otumoetai. 2:2-4.
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St. Columba Church, Otumoetai - A Link With an Ancient Mission - J.P. Porter. 32:37-39.
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An Unusual Maori Stone Sinker From Otumoetai. 11:1
How to cite this page: McCauley, Debbie (2013). Ōtūmoetai Pā (Tauranga). Retrieved from http://tauranga.kete.net.nz/tauranga_local_history/topics/show/1234 (Tauranga Memories, last updated: *insert date*). In-text citation: (McCauley, 2013)
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