Hongi Hika

Hongi Hika was a powerful chief, He was in a tribe called Ngapuhi tribe in the northland. He had revenge on other tribes because some of Hongi Hika’s family died because of other tribes, But Hongi Hika was quite friendly with some Missionaries and sometimes protected them from other Maori. Hongi Hika had realised that another iwi had gun’s and could easily killed enemies who had clubs and axes.Yet Many of the missionaries were unwilling to sell musket to the Maori and huge amount of flax or potatoes were needed to buy a single gun from the trader. In 1820 Hongi and some of the chiefs sailed to England with the missionaries, 2 chiefs also met king George lV. They received many and many presents but not any muskets. The king gave Hongi Hika a beautiful sword and suit made out of metal armor. Hongi bartered all the swords for 300 muskets . Over the next 5 years Hongi Hika used the gun to kill people, He killed more than 5000 people and two of Hongi Hika’s son died too. But Hongi finally paid for his mistake Hongi Hika forgot to wear his armour and was shot in the chest by a musket by a enemy tribe.