king country

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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.

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.

Souvenir programme for the rugby game between Wanganui–King Country and the South African Springboks played at Whanganui on 8 August 1956.

The tourists won 36–16. The local selection was one of eight combined teams the South Africans faced while in New Zealand. They played 23 matches in all, including four tests.

Souvenir programme for King Country’s Ranfurly Shield challenge against Hawke’s Bay at McLean Park, Napier, on 9 August 1969.

Even bush tramways had their picnic trains. In this January 1911 image, New Year's picnickers perch precariously atop logging wagons near the King Country settlement of Manunui. Such a scene would not have occurred on the more safety-conscious New Zealand Railways' system.