Timotu

Timotu was a warrior, and at the time of the fighting at Te Horo against Te Rauparaha and his allied tribes, Timotu was visited by some of the Taranaki people who asked him to go with them to assist Te Ati-Awa in that battle. They found him suffering from asthma and he could not accompany the Taranaki war-party. He subsequently composed and sang this song." "In about 1834, a man named Timotu was living at Meremere, near Te Hawera (Hawera) in southern Taranaki. His tribe was Ngāti Ruanui. Timoti had been a famous warrior, but was now suffering from asthma. Some of his kinsmen who had migrated to Waikanae, far to the south, found themselves facing a war there and came asking for his assistance. Timoti had to tell them that he could not help them, and he afterwards composed a waiata complaining of his illness and expressing grief.

Biographical sources

• Orbell, Margaret. "He Waiata na Timotu." Tu Tangata 24 (1985): 38.
• Nga Moteatea (The Songs) A Selection of Annotated Tribal Songs of the Måori with English Translations. Comp. Sir Apirana Ngata. Pt. 1. 1928. 276-277. Rpt. Auckland, N.Z.: Polynesian Soc. 1959. Facsim. ed. 1972 (with the addition of Sir Apirana Ngata’s draft introduction of 1949 and a page of errata to 1959 edition, supplied by Mr Pei Te Hurinui Jones). Rpt. 1974. Rpt. Auckland, N.Z.: Polynesian Soc., 1988.