Draft:Moriori Enslavement

This was the enslavement of the indigenous people of Chatham Islands (called Rehoku by the Moriori) Moriori from 1835 to 1863. They were enslaved by two Māori tribes. One being the Ngati Mutunga and the other being the Ngati Tama. This occurred at the same time as a genocide was going on against the Moriori.  

Beginning

The two Māori tribes invaded what is now the Chatham Islands in New Zealand in 1835 which the Māori called Wharekauri. This conquest was called the Ati Awa Conquest. Leaders from the Ngati Mutunga included but not limited to Senior Chief Patukawenga of the Ngati Mutunga and other leaders from his tribe and the Ngati Tama leaders such as Meremere who instituted the enslavement.

After many Moriori were killed the rest alive were made slaves. The Māori understood the British wouldn’t stop them from doing this which enabled them to do this. The tribes didn’t view the Moriori as equals. The Māori perceived the indigenous Chatham Islanders with scorn due to them not having the knowledge of military combat and not fighting back. The experience of the slaves was not the same across the board. Not all the slaveowners were abusive to their slaves. Ngati Tama Chief Wiremu Kīngi Meremere who owned a man named Hirawanu Tapu treated him with respect. The Māori in certain cases protected Moriori from other Māori during this time. Meremere did this as well as Ngati Mutunga Chief Wiremu Piti Pomare.

Treatment

Similar to a certain extant in slavery in the United States Moriori families were separated. Parents were not only separated but children as well. Older brothers and sisters were kept apart from younger siblings. They were forced to do heavy work. The slaves were work to exhaustion. They would be beaten constantly. Slaveowners committed sexual abuse towards young Moriori ladies. Those that were sick or injured by mistake were not taken care. One situation where a Moriori owned by a Māori named Bubu involved the Moriori man named Maitupiki lying on the ground for days. He was injured due to an accident while cutting down trees. The people were given to other Māori whether on the Chatham Island or outside of New Zealand. In one situation a Māori tried to sell a Moriori.

A full grown Moriori was not only subject to the adult Māori but even to their children. A phrase among the Māori used was “Ngare Paraiwhara.” This in English means “send a black fella.” This phrase comes from what the sealing crews called the Aborigines. They called them “blackfella.” This came into the Māori language transliterated as “paraiwhara.” In 1842 due to Christianity being accepted by many of the Māori led to conditions of the slaves improving a little. There lives were longer after this point but were still harsh. In 1855 the majority of the Moriori were still owned.

People that escaped were nearly or always found. Slaves would hide in holes. They would flee from Chatham Island to Pitt Island. Few slaves fought against their masters.

Work of the Moriori

The work Māori force them to do was mainly cultivation which they didn't do before. They would be made to grow potatoes. They were used to produce lots of potatoes as well as vegetables in sheltered gardens. These would be bought then by whalers. In one case involving a indigenous Chatham Islander named Koche was told to fish for sea fish.

Figures

A slaveowner named Matioro who was also a Ngati Mutunga Chief is the best known slave master. He owned a few notable slaves such as Rohana Tapu, wife of Moriori leader Hirawanu Tapu, and Koche, son of a Moriori leader, who was popular among the Moriori. Koche was one of the few slaves who resisted their masters.

End of Enslavement

In 1862 a petition was made by Moriori which was sent to the British government that called for the end of slavery. Hundreds upon hundreds of them signed this petition which included their leaders. In 1863 slavery was ended through a proclamation by resident magistrate on Chatham Islands. William Thomas the magistrate made the announcement.