Hone Ropiha (John Hobbs)

Historically this portrait of Hone Ropiha has been understood through his connections to Sir George Grey, whose life Ropiha is credited with saving during the New Zealand Wars in the Far North, Te Tai Tokerau, between 1845–46. Ropiha was not originally from Te Tai Tokerau, however. In his youth he was given to Patuone, a Ngāpuhi rangatira from the Hokianga, to make amends for an affront against the chief. There Ropiha served Patuone’s brother, Tāmati Wāka Nene, as a hāwini or attendant. During the war, Ropiha fought alongside Tāmati Wāka Nene and distinguished himself in the eyes of Grey and the colonial forces by uncovering an ambush that Te Ruki Kawiti had laid, saving their lives and earning future patronage.

The foreshore that Ropiha stands on in this painting with the cliffs behind has previously been interpreted as Ōrākei, but is more likely Official Bay (adjacent to Te Tōangaroa Mechanics Bay), where Grey granted him land following the war and where he lived until his death in 1863.

His name, Hone Ropiha, is a transliteration of John Hobbs, a baptismal name referring to the Wesleyan missionary who was based in the Hokianga from 1827. In 1860 Ropiha is noted as speaking at the conference of Māori rangatira at Kohimarama, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. He is referred to in transcripts of proceedings as ‘Hone Ropiha Tamaha of Ngāti Kinohaku [a Ngāti Maniapoto hapū], Kawhia’.

The Gallery is seeking to find out more about Hone Ropiha. If you can help us, please email: curator@aucklandartgallery.com

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