Pages tagged with: tawhiao

King Tawhiao's reign was dominated by the Waikato War and its fallout.

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.

Under the terms of the New Zealand Settlements Act 1863 the government confiscated 1.2 million acres (486,000 hectares) of Maori land in late 1864.

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.

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.

Tawhiao died on 26 August 1894. He was buried at Taupiri after a tangihanga in September that was attended by thousands.

Whitiora at the Maori King's Residence, Whatiwhatihoe

Carte de visite portrait of Tukaroto Matutaera Potatau Te Wherowhero Tawhiao, the second Maori King, taken, probably in the 1880s.

As the second Māori King, Tāwhiao had led his people through the traumatic period of the wars of the 1860s. He was succeeded by his son Mahuta.

More British were killed at 'Bloody Rangiriri' than in any other battle of the New Zealand Wars. But the British victory opened the Waikato basin to the Imperial forces.