Tuhawaiki
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tuhawaiki (c.1805-1844) - often known as Hone Tuhawaiki, John Tuhawaiki or Jack Tuhawaiki, or by his nickname of "Bloody Jack" - was a paramount chief of the Ngāi Tahu Māori iwi in the southern South Island of New Zealand. He gained his nickname from Foveaux Strait whalers on account of his colourful and expletive-laden speech, and was embarrassed by it in later years after his conversion to Christianity.
Born at Inch Clutha in South Otago in the early years of the 19th century, he first gained prominence in 1831 after a war party which he was leading defeated Ngāti Toa chief Te Rauparaha. It was only through luck that the Ngāti Toa leader escaped with his life. Four years later, a war party led by Tuhawaiki and Taiaroa inflicted severe damage on Ngāti Toa troops in a number of raids. Around the same time, Tuhawaiki became Ngāi Tahu chief upon the death of his uncle, Te Whakataupuka. He was regarded as a bold and intelligent military leader, and was also shrewd and insightful in his non-military dealings.
On 29 April 1840, Tuhawaiki became one of the signatories to the Treaty of Waitangi, regarded as the founding document of modern New Zealand.
Tuhawaiki was involved in numerous sales of land to settlers and entrepreneurs, notably that of the Otago Block to Tuckett, Symonds, and Clarke for £2,400 in 1844.
During the spring of 1844, Tuhawaiki drowned south of Timaru when his boat hit rocks at a location now known as Tuhawaiki Point. This is not the only New Zealand place named in his honour - others include Jack's Bay and the nearby Tuhawaiki Island in the Catlins.
