Very rare lithographed standing portrait of Te Rangihaeata.
His face is in profile, and he wears a flax cloak (Kaitaka Paepaeroa) with a taniko (woven border). In his right hand is a greenstone mere. The associated text states: ‘Rangihaeta’s name may be translated ‘The heavenly dawn’. He is chief of the Ngatitoa tribe, and both from descent and energy of character, is the most influential native in the Southern district of New Zealand. He is related to the late Te Rauperaha, whose fighting chief he was, and both were in arms against us. The fortified Pah of Pahatanui was constructed under Rangihaeta’s direction, and considerable knowledge in the art of War was displayed in its fortification. Both Te Rangihaeata and Te Rauperaha are unpleasantly associated in the minds of the Colonists, as being prime movers in the ‘untoward event’ which is known as the Wairau Massacre. Te Rangihaeata had not embraced Christianity up to the time of my departure, and still affected to despise the Manners, Customs, Arts and Religion of the Pakehas.” Other Notes : The original watercolour for this lithograph is held in the Fletcher-Challenge collection, Auckland, purchased 29 March 1995. The artist has the subject’s title correctly spelled with an R (although missing its third a) in the captions at the front of the volume, but the lithographer has misspelled the name with an N underneath the image. Rangihaeata is the modern spelling for the name. It was often rendered as Rangihaeta by Europeans during Te Rangihaeata’s lifetime.
From Oliver’s, Lithographic drawings from sketches in New Zealand.
