Named after Wi Hapi Pakau, the Te Ati Awa Chief. He belonged to Ngati Te Whiti and Te Matehou hapu of Te Ati Awa.
He was born in 1797 and died 22 April 1897. Wi Hapi Pakau is buried at Owhiti Urupa, Seaview.
Wi Hapi Pākau fought at the defence of Otaka in 1832 against Waikato iwi – leaving Taranaki afterwards to settle with his relatives Wi Tako, Te Puni and Te Wharepouri near Waikanae, moving then onto Te Whanganui-a-Tara after the battle of Haowhenua in 1834. He then went with Ngati Tawhirikura to the Wairarapa returning in 1836 with his cousins where he cultivated for the first time in the Hutt Valley.
Wi Hapi participated in the growing European settlement and was one of the loyal Māori who carried mail between Wellington and New Plymouth.
Wi Hapi was also a Master Carver. His Tauihu (canoe prow) carving is held at Te Papa. The Tauihu is carved from a single piece of wood, usually by a single master carver. The Collection of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and Puke Ariki, jointly purchased in 2015. i Wi Hapi Pakau signed the Henry Williams (Cook Strait) sheet of the Treaty of Waitangi on 26 May 1840 in Manawatū. ii.
The name was chosen by the Petone Community Board’s working group consisting of Cr Lewis, Ms Hanna (Chair), Mr Foaese, and Mr Dyer. iii
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