Today in History

1842 First official execution in NZ

On 7 March 1842 Maketu Wharetotara, the 17-year-old son of the Nga Puhi chief Ruhe of Waimate, became the first person to be officially executed in New Zealand. The previous November, at Motuarohia in the Bay of Islands, he had killed five people: farm worker Thomas Bull, Elizabeth Roberton and her two children, and Isabella Brind, the granddaughter of the Nga Puhi leader Rewa.

Maketu had worked with Bull on a farm owned by Roberton, who was a widow. He killed them because he believed they had offended his mana. Bull had been verbally and physically abusive towards Maketu, and Roberton had sworn at him. Maketu failed to explain why he killed Roberton's two children or Isabella. It was perhaps the killing of Isabella that sealed his fate.

Maketu sought refuge in his father's village. Local settlers feared the killings were the start of something bigger. The local police magistrate, Thomas Beckham, refused to act for fear of provoking Maketu's kin. To avoid a possible war with Rewa, Ruhe surrendered his son. Other Nga Puhi leaders distanced themselves from Maketu's action, perhaps fearing that his actions might provoke a widespread response from the Pakeha authorities. A statement was sent to the government at Auckland requesting that Maketu not be allowed to return to the north. A lone voice opposing the handing of Maketu to the authorities was Hone Heke.

Many Europeans felt that, as they were still in the minority, they had to tread carefully when it came to imposing British authority on Maori. Thomas Beckham's initial reaction to Maketu's actions suggests this. This case was hailed by some European observers as a significant turning point, a triumph of British law and order and an acceptance on the part of Maori of British jurisdiction in affairs between the races. Ruhe would not have seen his actions in the same light.

Maketu was hanged at the corner of Queen and Victoria Streets in Auckland. 

Image: Maketu Wharetotara