200 years later, and again a virus affects Hongi

Moka and Hongi were not only military peers, they were also close cousins. When Hongi traveled to England in 1820-21, Moka was tasked with the safekeeping of the sizeable cache of firearms and gun-powder, until his return.

In mid-late 1820, Hongi was seriously ill with influenza, and temporarily bedridden while in Cambridge, England. Whilst in Cambridge, Hongi, Waikato and Thomas Kendall had been attending Queens' College; where they were assisting Prof Samuel Lee, in compiling a Maori-English dictionary titled A Grammar and Vocabulary of the Language of New Zealand). During this time he was cared for by Mrs Lee, who made him hot soups and beverages and attended to his needs until he recovered.

Now, in 2020, Hongi is again temporarily laid low as a result of a virus (Covid19), which has seen changes (postponement or even possibly the cancellation) of his bicentennial commemorative event at Queens' College, Cambridge; as well as a number of other events in England, which were planned for late-September this year - can Hongi recover again, and see the resurrection of the Hongi's Hikoi kaupapa. Check to see at www.hongishikoi.com