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|allegiance = [[British Empire]]
|allegiance = [[British Empire]]
|unit =
|unit =
*Friendly Native Contingent
*[[57th (West Middlesex) Regiment of Foot]]
attached to [[57th (West Middlesex) Regiment of Foot]]
*[[43rd (Monmouthshire) Regiment of Foot]]
*[[43rd (Monmouthshire) Regiment of Foot]]
* Corps Of Guides
* Corps Of Guides
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}}
}}


'''Hemi “Taranaki Jim” Te Waka''' was a Māori warrior who fought on both side of the [[New Zealand Wars]] during the 1860s.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/loaded-provenance/|last = Marsh |first = Sid| title = Loaded-Provenance| website = [[New Zealand Geographic]]|access-date = 3 November 2022}}</ref> He served as a scout for British forces in [[Taranaki]] and [[Hawke’s Bay]] and subsequently served with [[George Stoddart Whitmore|George Stoddart Whitmore’s]] “Corps of Guides”, a group consisting of experienced trackers, scouts and soldiers who were tasked with finding [[Tītokowaru]] and later [[Te Kooti]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-CowHero-t1-body-d31.html |title= THE LAST OF THE SCOUTS — TALES OF THE GUIDES AND FOREST RANGERS|website=www.nzetc.org}}</ref>
'''Hemi Te Waka''', better known as '''Taranaki Jim''' or '''Waikato Jim''', was a Māori warrior who fought on both side of the [[New Zealand Wars]] during the 1860s.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/loaded-provenance/|last = Marsh |first = Sid| title = Loaded-Provenance| website = [[New Zealand Geographic]]|access-date = 3 November 2022}}</ref> He served as a scout for British forces in [[Taranaki]] and [[Hawke’s Bay]] and subsequently served with [[George Stoddart Whitmore|George Stoddart Whitmore’s]] “Corps of Guides”, a group consisting of experienced trackers, scouts and soldiers who were tasked with finding [[Tītokowaru]] and later [[Te Kooti]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-CowHero-t1-body-d31.html |title= THE LAST OF THE SCOUTS — TALES OF THE GUIDES AND FOREST RANGERS|website=www.nzetc.org}}</ref>


==Biography==
==Biography==
Hemi Te Waka was of [[Te Āti Awa]] descent and took up arms against the crown during the [[First Taranaki War]], fighting under chief Hapurona at
Hemi Te Waka was of [[Te Āti Awa]] descent and took up arms against the crown during the [[First Taranaki War]], fighting under chief Hapurona at
Puketakauere.<ref>{{cite news | work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] | title= Remarkable pair who swapped sides in war| url=https://i.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/7778201/Remarkable-pair-who-swapped-sides-in-war | date=8 October 2012 | access-date=3 November 2022}}</ref> After the conflict, Hemi joined the government forces and acted as a scout as part of the Friendly Native Contingent.<ref>{{cite news | work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] | title= Remarkable pair who swapped sides in war| url=https://i.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/7778201/Remarkable-pair-who-swapped-sides-in-war | date=8 October 2012 | access-date=7 November 2022}}</ref> He was placed with the 57th Regiment and served with them before being transferred to the 43rd Regiment. It was while with the 43rd Jim was recognized for attempting to save the life of Captain Arthur Richard Close who was mortally wounded in a skirmish with rebel Māori on 28 July 1865.<ref>{{cite news | work=[[Taranaki Herald]] | title=POSTSCRIPT| url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TH18650729.2.20 | date=29 July 1865 | page=3 |access-date=9 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | work=[[Taranaki Herald]] | title=Waikato Jim| url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TH18660310.2.7 | date=10 March 1866 | page=2 |access-date=9 November 2022}}</ref> On 17 October 1865 Jim was robbed at [[Warea, New Zealand|Warea]] by local Māori, taking most of his personnel and valuable possessions including a revolver that had been gifted to him by the 57th. In recognition of the affection that 43rd Regiment held for Jim, an inscribed revolver was gifted to him.<ref>{{cite news | work=[[Taranaki Herald]] | title=Waikato Jim| url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TH18660310.2.7 | date=10 March 1866 | page=2 |access-date=9 November 2022}}</ref> In 1919, the gun and holster were donated to the [[Puke Ariki|New Plymouth Museum]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/loaded-provenance/ |title=Loaded Provenance |last=Marsh |first=Sid |date=2008 |publisher=New Zealand Geographic |access-date=9 November 2022 |quote=}}</ref>
Puketakauere.<ref>{{cite news | work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] | title= Remarkable pair who swapped sides in war| url=https://i.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/7778201/Remarkable-pair-who-swapped-sides-in-war | date=8 October 2012 | access-date=3 November 2022}}</ref> After the conflict, Hemi joined the government forces and acted as a scout as part of the Friendly Native Contingent.<ref>{{cite news | work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] | title= Remarkable pair who swapped sides in war| url=https://i.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/7778201/Remarkable-pair-who-swapped-sides-in-war | date=8 October 2012 | access-date=7 November 2022}}</ref> He was placed with the 57th Regiment and served with them before being transferred to the 43rd Regiment. It was while with the 43rd Jim was recognized for attempting to save the life of Captain Arthur Richard Close who was mortally wounded in a skirmish with rebel Māori on 28 July 1865.<ref>{{cite news | work=[[Taranaki Herald]] | title=POSTSCRIPT| url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TH18650729.2.20 | date=29 July 1865 | page=3 |access-date=9 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | work=[[Taranaki Herald]] | title=Waikato Jim| url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TH18660310.2.7 | date=10 March 1866 | page=2 |access-date=9 November 2022}}</ref> On 17 October 1865 Jim was robbed at [[Warea, New Zealand|Warea]] by local Māori, taking most of his personnel and valuable possessions including a revolver that had been gifted to him by the 57th for his actions at [[Te Ahuahu]] on the 6 April 1864. In recognition of the affection that 43rd Regiment held for Jim, an inscribed revolver was gifted to him.<ref>{{cite news | work=[[Taranaki Herald]] | title=Waikato Jim| url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TH18660310.2.7 | date=10 March 1866 | page=2 |access-date=9 November 2022}}</ref> In 1919, the gun and holster were donated to the [[Puke Ariki|New Plymouth Museum]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/loaded-provenance/ |title=Loaded Provenance |last=Marsh |first=Sid |date=2008 |publisher=New Zealand Geographic |access-date=9 November 2022 |quote=}}</ref>

In May 1869 Hemi Te Waka was shot twice through the chest while tracking naked footprints. Under the command of Captain Francis Gordon Swindley, the Guides, consisting of thirteen men, were ambushed by followers of [[Te Kooti]] at Manawahiwi Stream in [[Te Urewera]] while the corps were in pursuit of Te Kooti’s and his followers..<ref>{{cite web|url= https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-CowHero-t1-body-d31.html |title= THE LAST OF THE SCOUTS — TALES OF THE GUIDES AND FOREST RANGERS|website=www.nzetc.org}}</ref> A skirmish then occurred before the Corps were joined by the remaining Armed Constabulary who were following more then half a mile behind. Te Kooti’s forces soon retreated into the bush and it was decided to not pursue due to it being late in the day. Jim suffered bullet wounds to his lungs and died over two hours later. He was buried near the scene of the skirmish after being sewed up into his blanket. To prevent Te Kooti’s followers from returning and digging up Jim’s body, a cooking fire was placed over his grave to mask it.<ref>{{cite news | work=[[Stratford Evening Post]] | title=Tranaki Jim| url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/STEP19110829.2.16 | date=29 August 1911 | page=5 |access-date=10 November 2022}}</ref> Accounts state that the current dirt road beside the Manawahiwi Stream runs across Jim’s grave. In the 1920’s a memorial to men who were killed and buried at Orangikawa was erected as well as a memorial to Jim and another Māori member of the government forces.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/kainaha-cemetery-nz-wars-memorials |title= Kainaha cemetery NZ Wars memorials
|website=https://nzhistory.govt.nz}}</ref>



==References==
==References==

Revision as of 04:11, 10 November 2022

Taranaki Jim
Native name
Hemi Te Waka
Other name(s)Big Jim, Waikato Jim
Died7 May 1869
Manawahiwi Stream, Te Urewera, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
Buried
near Manawahiwi Stream
AllegianceBritish Empire
Unit
  • Friendly Native Contingent

attached to 57th (West Middlesex) Regiment of Foot

Battles / wars

Hemi Te Waka, better known as Taranaki Jim or Waikato Jim, was a Māori warrior who fought on both side of the New Zealand Wars during the 1860s.[1] He served as a scout for British forces in Taranaki and Hawke’s Bay and subsequently served with George Stoddart Whitmore’s “Corps of Guides”, a group consisting of experienced trackers, scouts and soldiers who were tasked with finding Tītokowaru and later Te Kooti.[2]

Biography

Hemi Te Waka was of Te Āti Awa descent and took up arms against the crown during the First Taranaki War, fighting under chief Hapurona at Puketakauere.[3] After the conflict, Hemi joined the government forces and acted as a scout as part of the Friendly Native Contingent.[4] He was placed with the 57th Regiment and served with them before being transferred to the 43rd Regiment. It was while with the 43rd Jim was recognized for attempting to save the life of Captain Arthur Richard Close who was mortally wounded in a skirmish with rebel Māori on 28 July 1865.[5][6] On 17 October 1865 Jim was robbed at Warea by local Māori, taking most of his personnel and valuable possessions including a revolver that had been gifted to him by the 57th for his actions at Te Ahuahu on the 6 April 1864. In recognition of the affection that 43rd Regiment held for Jim, an inscribed revolver was gifted to him.[7] In 1919, the gun and holster were donated to the New Plymouth Museum[8]

In May 1869 Hemi Te Waka was shot twice through the chest while tracking naked footprints. Under the command of Captain Francis Gordon Swindley, the Guides, consisting of thirteen men, were ambushed by followers of Te Kooti at Manawahiwi Stream in Te Urewera while the corps were in pursuit of Te Kooti’s and his followers..[9] A skirmish then occurred before the Corps were joined by the remaining Armed Constabulary who were following more then half a mile behind. Te Kooti’s forces soon retreated into the bush and it was decided to not pursue due to it being late in the day. Jim suffered bullet wounds to his lungs and died over two hours later. He was buried near the scene of the skirmish after being sewed up into his blanket. To prevent Te Kooti’s followers from returning and digging up Jim’s body, a cooking fire was placed over his grave to mask it.[10] Accounts state that the current dirt road beside the Manawahiwi Stream runs across Jim’s grave. In the 1920’s a memorial to men who were killed and buried at Orangikawa was erected as well as a memorial to Jim and another Māori member of the government forces.[11]


References

  1. ^ Marsh, Sid. "Loaded-Provenance". New Zealand Geographic. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  2. ^ "THE LAST OF THE SCOUTS — TALES OF THE GUIDES AND FOREST RANGERS". www.nzetc.org.
  3. ^ "Remarkable pair who swapped sides in war". Stuff. 8 October 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  4. ^ "Remarkable pair who swapped sides in war". Stuff. 8 October 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  5. ^ "POSTSCRIPT". Taranaki Herald. 29 July 1865. p. 3. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  6. ^ "Waikato Jim". Taranaki Herald. 10 March 1866. p. 2. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  7. ^ "Waikato Jim". Taranaki Herald. 10 March 1866. p. 2. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  8. ^ Marsh, Sid (2008). "Loaded Provenance". New Zealand Geographic. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  9. ^ "THE LAST OF THE SCOUTS — TALES OF THE GUIDES AND FOREST RANGERS". www.nzetc.org.
  10. ^ "Tranaki Jim". Stratford Evening Post. 29 August 1911. p. 5. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  11. ^ "Kainaha cemetery NZ Wars memorials". https://nzhistory.govt.nz. {{cite web}}: External link in |website= (help)
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