Prophets and colonists - New Zealand Wars

In 1864 the Kingites took refuge in Ngati Maniapoto territory - the 'King's Country'. Much of their land was confiscated by the settler government. Another round of fighting was sparked by new Maori religious movements.

Te Ua Haumene and Pai Marire

The first prophet to emerge at this time was Te Ua Haumene. His Pai Marire faith had grown out of the conflict over land in Taranaki in 1862. Followers of his Hauhau church soon distorted its principles of ‘goodness and peace’ to justify guerrilla attacks from Taranaki to the East Coast. These raids terrified many. Despite high-profile incidents such as the killing of the missionary Carl Völkner at Opotiki, the attacks lacked coordination and each flare-up was soon doused.

Titokowarau

A graver crisis struck in 1868 when resistance to land confiscation in Taranaki erupted into warfare. In south Taranaki the Ngati Ruanui leader Titokowaru won several stunning victories despite being heavily outnumbered. A Methodist lay preacher who became a Pai Marire prophet, Titokowaru gained the support of the King Movement and his force soon grew from 150 to around 1000.

His victories almost brought the colony to its knees, and the government considered returning confiscated land. But at the height of his success Titokowaru's army mysteriously fell apart. This may have been due to his adultery with the wife of one of his warriors.

Te Kooti and Ringatu

With neither British nor settlers willing to foot the bills for the imperial army, kupapa and settler militia now filled frontline roles. In 1868 the small colonial army, the Armed Constabulary, faced war on two fronts. Te Kooti Arikirangi of Rongowhakaata, near Gisborne, had been arrested for allegedly helping a Pai Marire force in 1865. He was one of hundreds exiled to the Chatham Islands, 800 kms east of the South Island.

In exile Te Kooti established the Ringatu faith which was adopted by many of his fellow prisoners. He and his followers overpowered their guards and sailed back to the mainland in July 1868. When the government refused to negotiate, they descended on Poverty Bay in November to attack the many locals – Maori and Pakeha – who had offended Te Kooti over the years.

After the battle at Ngatapa in 1869 Te Kooti retreated to the Ureweras. Over the following years he was pursued over the central North Island by a number of forces including the Arawa Flying Column. Trained and led by Captain Gilbert Mair, this highly mobile guerrilla unit was made up of 100 young Te Arawa men.

The final phase of the war with Te Kooti was a bitter campaign. One by one the Tuhoe leaders were forced to surrender. Stripped of his main support, Te Kooti took shelter in the King Country. Here, under the protection of King Tawhiao, he was forced to abandon his struggle and was eventually pardoned by the government in 1883.