Hachem Smith
Hachem Schmidt or John Smith or
Haki Mete as he bec
ame known in NewZealand, hailed from Koenigsberg, the capital of East Prussia, now known as Kaliningrad.
Born 12.06.1811 Hachem may have left Konigsberg between 1825-1835. It is said that he left Prussia at the tender age of 14. An unwilling conscript for the Crimean War, Hachem seized the opportunity to solve his predicament and jumped ship. (family information) According to records "Auckland Institute and Museum Library" Hachem Smith arrived in Wellington as a British colonialist. It is mentioned that he was a whaler.
After Hachem's marriage to Tauarai Parapara Kurekure TeMau, daughter of Koterowai and Toto TeMau, Hachem Smith remained in NZ.
Hachem and Tauarai had at least 13 children that I know of. Pita (Peter), Tame (Thomas) and Ringawhero (Charles); took over their father's whaling station at Te Hoe -Mahia. Whaling profits were used to acquire more land to farm along with the land Tauarai already owned in Tahaenui, where Ngati Kauaha's whare – Manutai still stands.
In his book "Story of Old Wairoa", Thomas Lambert says that "John Smith came from the Bay of Islands with
Capt. Ellis", and that he, Capt. Ellis established a fishery at Mahia. It is interesting to note here, that one of Hachem Smith’s son Peter married a daughter of Captain Ellis, Emma Hallett Ellis. GO
During WW2, the German sounding names were discarded so Hachem became John Smith or Haki Mete. Tahaenui is still populated with his descendants.
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