Tukaroto Matutaera Potatau Te Wherowhero Tawhiao

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. His 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. The earlier years were the most turbulent period in New Zealand's race relations history.

Invasion, military defeat and the confiscation of about 1.2 million acres (just under half a million hectares) of Waikato land in 1864 reduced Tawhiao and his people to refugees in Ngati Maniapoto country, which became known as the King Country. They remained there for many years.

Despite a number of meetings with government ministers and officials, there was no reconciliation. Tawhiao was adamant that they would only accept a return of the confiscated land. This was rejected by the government. It was not until 1881 that the king and his followers finally laid down their weapons and returned to Waikato. But they did not give up their efforts to seek compensation and to give expression to the King movement.

In 1884 Tawhiao led a deputation to England to petition Queen Victoria. He sought an independent Maori parliament, and an independent commission of inquiry into the land confiscations. He stressed that the Kingitanga was not separatist and did not reject the Queen's authority. It was rather an attempt to unify Maori so that they might more effectively claim the Queen's protection. In his view the Maori King and British Queen could peacefully coexist, with God over both. Tawhiao's petition was referred back to the New Zealand government, which dismissed it.

Tawhiao continued to help Maori address their concerns and petition the government. Notably, he established a Maori parliament, Te Kauhanganui. He died in 1894.