Te Rauparaha was a Ngati Toa chief and warrior. Sometimes called the 'Napoleon of the Southern Hemisphere', he ruled the lower end of the North Island from his base at Kapiti Island for the best part of 20 years
The Maori King movement came into existence in the late 1850s as an attempt to unite the tribes, prevent land sales and make laws for Maori to follow. Potatau Te Wherowhero became the first Maori King in 1858, but died two years later. more...