Numerous European and North American whaling, sealing…
December 1809 CE
Numerous European and North American whaling, sealing and trading ships visit New Zealand following Cook and Du Fresne.
They trade food, metal tools, weapons and other goods for timber, food, artifacts, water, and, on occasion, sex, introducing the Maori to influenza, liquor, and the musket.
The Boyd, a three hundred and ninety-five ton brigantine convict ship, had sailed in October 1809 from Sydney Cove to Whangaroa on the east coast of the Northland Peninsula to pick up kauri spars.
Under the command of Captain John Thompson, she carries about seventy people.
Te Ara, the son of a Māori chief from Whangaroa, had asked to work his passage on the ship.
An incident had occurred which resulted in him being flogged.
One source states that he refused orders, claiming poor health and noble birth.
Another states that the ship's cook accidentally threw some pewter spoons overboard and falsely accused Te Ara of stealing them to avoid being flogged himself.
Alexander Berry, in a letter describing the events, said: "The captain had been rather too hasty in resenting some slight theft."
Upon reaching Whangaroa, Te Ara had reported his indignities to his tribe and displayed the whip marks on his back.
In accordance with Māori customs, they form a plan for utu (revenge).
Under British law, the master's word is law and whipping is the common law punishment for all minor crimes at this time.
A British person can be legally hanged for stealing goods to the value of five shillings.
There are one hundred and sixty crimes for which the punishment is hanging.
Under Maori lore, the son of a chief is a privileged figure who does not bow to anyone's authority.
Physical punishment of a chief's son, though justified by British common law, has caused the chief to suffer a loss of face (or "mana").
According to Māori norms, this warrants a violent retribution.