Biography
Born at Pakaraka south of Kerikeri in the Bay of Islands, Heke was a highly influential chief of the Ngāpuhi tribe. He grew up in the Kaikohe area. As a youth, he attended the mission school at Kerikeri and came under the influence of the missionary, Henry Williams. Subsequently he, his wife and his children were converted to Christianity, and Hone Heke became a lay preacher.
However, it was as a warrior and as a leader of a Māori rebellion that Hone Heke is best known. He took part in the fighting on the beach at Kororareka in 1830 that is known as the Girls' War. After that fighting he participated in Titore's expedition to Tauranga, and fought with Titore against Pomare II in 1837.
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