The Kingitanga, or Maori King movement, is an important and enduring expression of Maori unity. While, today, it holds an established place in New Zealand society, this has not always been the case.
In May 2008 Maori gathered at Ngaruawahia to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the formation of the Kingitanga, or Maori King movement. The current king, Te Arikinui Tuheitia Paki, was crowned in August 2006,
following the death of his mother, Dame Te
Atairangikaahu.
Like his father, King Tawhiao opposed the war in Taranaki. The government, however, remained unconvinced. In July 1860 Governor Gore Browne sought to isolate the Kingitanga and its supporters when he invited about 200 chiefs to a conference at Kohimarama near Auckland.
On 23 May 2006 the Maori Queen, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, celebrated the 40th jubilee of her coronation. She was the sixth Maori monarch and the longest serving.
The invasion of the Waikato united the various factions within the Kingitanga, and during the war Kingitanga forces had some victories despite being overwhelmed in terms of manpower and resources.
The pressure to sell land was a key factor in the creation of the Kingitanga. Before European settlement Maori could not sell land and few chiefs had the mana or authority to gift land. But by the late 1840s secret deals with government officials were occurring.
By the early 1870s, the Kingitanga was struggling. Living conditions within the Rohe Potae (the Maori King's territory) were poor. Allies such as Ngati Haua had begun selling land again, as had some other tribes outside the Rohe Potae.
Potatau set a boundary separating his authority from that of the governor: 'Let Maungatautari be our boundary. Do not encroach on this side. Likewise I am not to set a foot on that side.'
It was clear by the 1870s that the Kingitanga posed no threat beyond its borders and was in no fit shape to fight a war. Attempts were made to ease relations between the king and the colonial government.
Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu reigned for over 40 years as Maori Queen. She succeeded her father, Koroki, on 23 May 1966 and died on 15 August 2006.
Tukaroto Matutaera Potatau Te Wherowhero Tawhiao, about 1880 Tawhiao, of the Tainui hapu (sub-tribe) Ngati Mahuta, was born at the end of the Musket Wars between Tainui and Nga Puhi. He was a Christian, was well versed in the ancient rites of the Tainui tribe, and he had the status of a prophet.
Wiremu Tamihana Tarapipipi Te Waharoa was born around 1805, and was of Ngati Haua of the Tainui confederation. As a young man he took part in several war expeditions.
In this 1847 painting by George Angas, Potatau is wrapped in a blanket and seated beside a log. On the right are Te Waru, principal chief of Ngati Apakura, and Te Pakaru, principal chief of Ngati Ti Maniapoto.
Tawhiao's father Potatau was the first Maori King, and on his death in 1860
Tawhiao inherited the kingship and the spiritual leadership of his
people. He was king for the next 34 years, including the
most turbulent period in New Zealand's race relations history.
