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Text originally created for Tūrangawaewae: Art and New Zealand exhibition at Te Papa, March 2018.
A fashionable woman, at ease in the Pākehā world.
Ruta Te Kapu, of the Ngāti Raukawa iwi [tribe], married Tāmihana Te Rauparaha (right), son of the famous Ngāti Toa leader Te Rauparaha, in 1843. The couple lived a life of colonial privilege, employing Pākehā servants for their house at Ōtaki. They most likely commissioned their portraits from William Beetham, a professional artist who arrived in the Wellington region in the 1850s.
Ruta was described as having the ‘manners and taste of an English lady’, and was known for her collection of stylish dresses.
He wahine taiea e taunga ana ki te ao Pākehā.
I mārena a Ruta Te Kapu, nō Ngāti Raukawa, ki a Tāmihana Te Rauparaha, te tama a Te Rauparaha, te rangatira o Ngāti Toa, i te tau 1843. I taunga tā rāua noho k te ao Pākehā, i utua e rāua ngā Pākehā hei tonotono i tō rāua whare ki Ōtaki. Kāore e kore i tonoa ā rāua kōwaiwai kiritangata nā William Beetham, he mātanga ringatoi i tae mai ki Pōneke i ngā tau 1850.
I mōhiotia a Ruta hei wahine ‘whanonga tika, whanonga Pākehā hoki’. I rongonui hoki tana kohinga pūweru.
This elegant husband and wife, Tāmihana and Ruta Te Rauparaha, probably commissioned these portraits. The pair enjoyed the life of a wealthy colonial couple in their house in Ōtaki – complete with servants who were Pākehā (European New Zealanders). Ruta, ‘ladylike and charming’, enjoyed showing off her fashionable dresses to guests.
In 1851–52, Tāmihana visited England, where he met Queen Victoria. On his return, he promoted the idea of a Māori monarchy. But his fervour for all things British eroded his influence with his tribe. Caught between two worlds, he struggled to be completely accepted in either.