King Tawhiao's reign
The reign of the second Māori King, Tukaroto Matutaera Potatau Te Wherowhero Tawhiao was dominated by the Waikato War and its fallout and in particular the impact of the confiscation of land which followed the war.
Build up to war - Māori King movement 1860-94
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. Those deemed to be rebellious, from areas such as Taranaki and Waikato, were not invited. The conference reaffirmed the Treaty of Waitangi and the sovereignty of Queen Victoria, but those present did not endorse the government's line in Taranaki. Nor did they condemn the Kingitanga.
Raupatu - Maori King movement 1860-94
Land confiscations
Maintaining Te Kingitanga - Maori King movement 1860-94
Struggling to survive
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, even before the death of Wiremu Tamihana in 1866, and other tribes outside the Rohe Potae allowed the Native Land Court to sit and recommenced selling land, despite having placed their lands under the Maori King's mana.
Tensions ease - Maori King movement 1860-94
Normalising relations
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, and Tawhiao met Native Minister Donald McLean at Waitomo in 1875. Reserves of land on the west bank of the Waikato River were offered in exchange for taking the oath of allegiance. Tawhiao rejected the offer.
In 1878 Sir George Grey, now the premier, attended the Maehe, an annual hui that saw Kingitanga subjects renew their allegiance and commitment to oppose land selling. Grey's presence was viewed as another step towards normalising relations with the government while retaining the aims of the Kingitanga.
The death of Tawhiao - Maori King movement 1860-94
Tawhiao's legacy
Tawhiao died on 26 August 1894. He was buried at Taupiri after a tangihanga in September that was attended by thousands. He had children by three wives. His principal wife was Hera, and they had three children: Tiahuia, who married Te Tahuna Herangi and was the mother of Te Puea; Mahuta, who succeeded Tawhiao as king; and Te Wherowhero.
Tawhiao left a legacy of religious principles from which his people would draw a future dream for Tainui: the rebirth of a self-sufficient economic base, supported by the strength and stability of the people. Native trees and foods symbolise strength and self-sufficiency in his statement: 'I shall build my own house, the ridge-pole will be of hinau and the supporting posts of mahoe and patate. Those who inhabit that house shall be raised on rengarenga and nurtured on kawariki.' During Tawhiao's exile, Waikato people had reflected and focused on the powerful symbols of the King movement. The man and the vision became united and formed part of the traditions and knowledge of the people. The vision is recounted and passed on to later generations at tribal hui, where it continues to be discussed and debated.
Maori King Tawhio's residence, Whatiwhatihoe
Tawhiao's residence at Whatiwhatihoe, under Mt Pirongia.
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Reference: C.010004
Permission of Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.
Tukaroto Matutaera Potatau Te Wherowhero Tawhiao
Carte de visite portrait of Tukaroto Matutaera Potatau Te Wherowhero Tawhiao, the second Maori King, taken, probably in the 1880s.
Death of second Maori King
As the second Māori King, Tukaroto Matutaera Pōtatau Te Wherowhero Tāwhiao had led his people through the traumatic period during and after the wars of the 1860s. He was buried at Taupiri after a tangihanga in September that was attended by thousands. Tāwhiao was succeeded as King by his son Mahuta.
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