At the entrance to the village, Teavaava and the people of Hitiaa and Tiarai, with their chiefs, Manua and Teriitua, with the principal men of their districts, were all in their fort. Near this fort was a large house into which we entered. In this house I found a brother of the chief, Manua, the chief Aru; Taute, Aiani, and Kama -- all men holding chief's commands. Those from Hitiaa, I knew. There I saw Teriitua, herself, and Teohu and Tumoehamia. These two were in command of that district. Teriitua, who was my aunt, caught me by my legs and began to cry. One of the chiefs then brought me a stool. My aunt then asked me why I was there. Knowing that this person, with her two men in command, held the power of Teono, and wishing to explain to them the object of my visit before the arrival of the rest, I at once told them what I intended to do, and asked her to help me in carrying out my object, as I was afraid that without gaining her on my side, those of the Teporionuu would do their best to go against my peaceful intention. In a little while the chiefs began to arrive at this meeting, and I saw the chief men who represented the Pomares, Teaa-toro and Nuutere. I, however, saw the latter Nuutere, coming, and I walked out of the house to meet him. As soon as he saw me he came towards me, and even before saluting me, said: "What have you to do here?" I continued walking, and took him by the hand, and said to him: "My object in coming here is to bring peace, and I have counted upon you for the sake of old friendship to be my speaker in this trying instance." I could see that he was very much perplexed in this, for I had heard that he would probably be the first one to refuse the offer of peace. Being, however, alone, for he had not seen Ariipaea, he could not leave me, a lone woman, to speak out before all these men, and therefore he assented to my request. The people then were continuing to arrive, and in very little while, most of the head chiefs

Indigenous Histories