Hand coloured lithograph from Barraud's Graphic and Descriptive publication. Circa. 1870.
Height 520mm
Width 520mm
A striking full length portrait of Rangihaieta (ca. 1780 – 1855), a Ngati Toa chief, nephew of Te Rauparaha. The portrait is full length, with the chief depicted wearing a long feather garment with dark fringe, and holding a taiha (ceremonial spear) in his right hand. Rangihaieta has white hair and wears a hei tiki around his neck.
Honiana Te Puni was a Te Ati Awa chief of high lineage who was descended from Takarangi and Rau-Mahora. His own father was Rerewha-i-te-Rangi, son of Aniwaniwa and Tawhirikura, the originators of the Tawhirikura subtribe of Te Ati Awa. His mother was Te Puku. Te Puni lived at Pukeariki pa, New Plymouth, and took part in the successful defence of Otaka against the Waikato. Later he accompanied the followers of Wharepouri, Rawa-Kitua, and Ngatata, southward in the “heke” Tama te Uaua.
Te Puni must have been grieved and at times angered towards the European attitude and actions, he left the following words for his people: “… Be kind to my European brothers and sisters, be patient, be tolerant …”