In search of a king - Maori King movement
A candidate is found
The Kingitanga has often been described as a Waikato initiative, yet its origins can be traced to Otaki on the Kapiti coast.
Potatau Te Wherowhero - Maori King movement
Potatau agrees to be king
In April 1857, at Rangiriri, Potatau agreed to become king. He was crowned and anointed at Ngaruawahia in June 1858.
King movement flags
The three flags depicted by W.F. Gordon on the left are those used by the King Movement to mark the appointment of Potatau Te Wherowhero as the first Maori King in 1857. Gordon drew the flags when they were flown at Mataitawa, Taranaki on the anniversary of Potatau's accession in 1862.
The two flags depicted on the right are believed to have been used by supporters of the Pai Marire faith in the 1860s.
Potatau Te Wherowhero
In the 1850s, a movement was set up to appoint a Māori king who would unite the tribes, protect land from further sales and make laws for Māori to follow. Te Wherowhero became the first Māori king in 1858.
Death of the first Maori King
The Māori King movement came into existence in the late 1850s as an attempt to unite the tribes, prevent land sales and make laws for Māori. Pōtatau Te Wherowhero of Waikato was one of a number of chiefs who possessed the mana necessary for this role. He was appointed as the first Māori King in 1858, but died two years later.
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