In South Auckland, New Zealand, Mannie and his wife, Jo, have finally achieved stability. Mannie's successful job as a carpenter gives the couple hopes for a future home and children. But it's all about to come tumbling down. When Wall Street crashes in 2005, the New Zealand economy plunges into a recession. Mannie loses his job and is forced to apply for the unemployment benefit to survive. Worse, he and Jo must take in boarders in order to make the rent. But Mannie soon sees his misfortune as an opportunity to reclaim land in the Tongariro National Park that belonged to his Maori tribe more than one hundred and thirty years ago. Mannie persuades a small, disillusioned group of young Maori into claiming sovereignty over a small block of land on the side of a mountain, offering freedom and peace in protest against the government. They build huts and live off the land. Mannie and Jo try to find their former happiness, but then tragedy strikes, and Mannie suddenly finds himself in a deadly game of survival.

THE TAKEN LAND (RIRO TE WHENUA)

By Robin O'Reilly

iUniverse, Inc.

Copyright © 2012 Robin O'Reilly
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4697-3875-8

Chapter One

New Zealand, Late 1800's

"I have called you all here today to discuss the matter of the three mountains and the adjoining land surrounding them. We have discussed this many times before in the past." Pausing, Amohia studied the faces of the warriors seated before him for a second or two. "If we do not gift this land it will be confiscated without any doubt. We are all aware of that, because we supported our neighbouring tribes during the war. That is in our past and should remain there."

After the Maori land wars, there was enormous pressure on the new colonial regime to acquire land and many tribes were deceitfully manipulated into selling at ridiculously low prices. A directive from the Governor General targeted those tribes who forcibly resisted the colonial forces during the land wars and, if they resisted again or refused to sell, would be the first to forfeit land through confiscation.

Ships from the United Kingdom arrived at ports and safe anchorages all around New Zealand crammed with people filled with hope of a new life and the desire to escape the aristocracy created by the lords and noblemen who, for centuries and countless generations, denied the middle and working classes the right to own their own home and land and the right to earn a decent living.

A high percentage of these settlers were from farming backgrounds, hoping to obtain land at an affordable price to settle on and forge a living.

Several tribes had resisted this unruly land requisition and were themselves subjected to land confiscation. One tribe in particular was to forfeit what is known today as the Tongariro National Park which was made up of Mount Ruapehu, Mount Ngarahoe, Mount Tongariro and all the immediate surrounding land.

The paramount chief of that tribe, Amohia, was of the opinion that if he could reach a consensus from all his iwi, (sections of the tribe) rather than have their sacred mountains seized, it was far more beneficial as a tribe to gift them. The conditions of this gift however, was not for the government, but for all of Aotearoa, (New Zealand) allowing the tribe to retain its mana (pride) and save face within Maoridom itself.

Amohia wasn't a tall man but he was mentally and physically fit with a solid build and well-toned muscle. On his face, he wore a chieftains tribal tattoo. His hair was graying slightly around the edges but he still trained daily with his warriors for the purpose of defending his village and lands. He was a proud leader, and his status within the tribe was indisputable. His manner was one of fairness, and his consideration of the opinions of his chiefs was one of professional expedience.

To all his chiefs, Amohia had sent out invitations to a final hui (meeting) at his marae (village). It was his view and the view of his chiefs that it made good sense to gift the land rather than to forfeit it through confiscation. This in itself would demonstrate the tribe's wholehearted commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi, signed in February, 1840, and their united show of goodwill.

To make a stand against the land requisition would be futile. A terrible loss of life would be imminent, and the final result would be that the colonial regime would undoubtedly confiscate the land anyway.

This hui would allow any grievances against the gifting of the mountains and land to be aired openly. It was imperative that Amohia consolidate all his iwi and unite them as one. He had to be 100 percent certain that he had the confidence of the whole tribe behind his initiative in order to achieve a consensus and he spent months formulating the conditions of his proposal.

Ten weeks earlier, he had spent many days with the governor general and senior government officials in long tedious discussions and was insistent that his conditions regarding this momentous gift were non-negotiable. Finally, he convinced them to unanimously accept his proposal without amendment or extra provisions added to the agreement.

At an earlier hui six months prior, there had been some minor resistance concerning the gift, but his brother, Iwikau, had assured him that once all the conditions had been laid out and explained thoroughly and openly to the members of the tribe, it was possible to gain a unanimous consensus. Amohia made it quite clear that the result of a vote would be their irrefutable and final decision and could not be overturned at a later date.

A hush came across the gathering of chiefs and warriors seated in front of the meeting house as Amohia appeared and for many long seconds, he regarded them with an appraising eye.

It was all part of his personal ceremony and rhetoric, allowing him to observe the attitude among them all. Feeling moderately comfortable and relaxed, he pondered the words of his prepared speech.

Amohia took a deep breath. "It is time to show our goodwill to our pakeha chiefs." He paused, taking two steps to his left. "As much as it goes against the grain, we cannot turn back time. It is my view, and many among you, that the time has come to address this issue and gift the three mountains and its surrounding lands to all the people of Aotearoa. I repeat, we gift the three mountains and the surrounding land to all the people of Aotearoa. At no time will it be gifted to the government."

Taking his time, he took a step to his right before continuing. "It will demonstrate our wholehearted commitment to the treaty we signed so many years ago, and it will show our sincerity to that document." For a moment, he looked reflectively over the gathering. "There are some among you here that do not agree with this gift."

Again, he paused, looking down at his feet before continuing. "But it is my view and the majority of us here today at this hui that this show of goodwill does demonstrate to our pakeha chiefs that this gift will seal our commitment to the treaty."

Lifting his chin musingly, Amohia stood there for many long seconds, allowing those who disagreed with his proposal to stand and voice their objection.

One man stood, a warrior of no actual stature or status within the tribe and one who had no speaking rights at the hui.

Shouting angrily at Amohia, Huri Te Ngongo said, "I disagree with such a gift of our mountains and lands. Let them try and confiscate it. We will fight them for it. It is our right."

Amohia looked at him perceptively, and then, acknowledging him with a nod, he turned to the gathering, waiting for anyone else to voice his objection against the proposal.

Before anyone else could object, Amohia's brother, Iwikau, jumped to his feet and shouted, "Sit down, Huri Te Ngongo. You have no speaking rights at this hui. Only your chief can speak on your behalf. You were only invited here to listen."

Full of resentment, Huri Te Ngongo glared at Iwikau for being told to sit down like some lowly warrior. Lifting his chin defiantly, he continued, "I will not sit down. This land being gifted is sacred land. It should not be taken by the pakeha or given away as if it is worth nothing." He put his fist in the air rebelliously. "I say, let the pakeha come. This is our tribal land, part of our treaty settlement. They can not just come in here and take it."

A startled murmur rose among the gathering. Amohia, putting his hand in the air to silence them, turned to Huri.

Again, and before Amohia could respond, Iwikau was infuriated at Huri's defiance and disrespect for Amohia. He took several steps toward him.

"If you do not sit...