McLean, John

Parihaka : the facts / by John McLean. - 119 pages, 12 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations ; 21 cm

Includes bibliographical references (pages 103-115) and index.

Historical background -- Pai Marire (Hau Hau) -- Te Whiti -- The meetings -- Passive resistance -- Awkward guests -- No meeting of minds -- The proclamation-- Preparations -- Guy Fawkes Day without the fireworks -- Consequences -- Parihaka without Te Whiti -- The prophet's clipped wings -- Throwback -- Waning influence -- Epilogue -- Appendices.

"The Government's occupation of Parihaka on 5th November, 1881, was an inevitable and necessary consequence of Te Whiti creating a quasi-republic in the bush of southern Taranaki, which refused to recognise the sovereignty of the Crown or the laws of the land, and was a haven for criminals on the run from justice, including a murderer. That the deed was achieved peacefully was as much a tribute to the restraint from violence of Te Whiti and his fellow prophet, Tohu, as to the decision of the Government to turn up with such overwhelming force as to deter any ideas of resistance. Based on facts as they were recorded at the time, this book explains the complicated land situation in Taranaki, which led to war and confiscation. It narrates the rise of Te Whiti and Parihaka, with the monthly carnival-like meetings, the ploughing up and illegal fencing of other people's land, tension between Te Whiti and the settlers, the Government's failed efforts to resolve the situation, the occupation of the village by the Armed Constabulary and the Volunteers which diminished Te Whiti's power. It also covers the "silken detention" of Te Whiti and Tohu as they toured the South Island, their return to Parihaka, further trouble with the settlers and finally the dispute between Te Whiti and Tohu that marred their later years. This was the culmination of the decline of Te Whiti's influence as his prophecies failed to materialise and his former influence was being replaced by that of the Young Maori Party of Apirana Ngata and others, who worked for assimilation with European ways rather than resistance to them"--Page 4 of cover.

9781872970691 1872970699


Māori (New Zealand people)--Government policy--19th century
Māori (New Zealand people)--Government relations--19th century
Whenua raupatu
Taipūwhenuatanga
Kōrero nehe


Parihaka Pa (N.Z.)--History--19th century
South Taranaki District (N.Z.)--History--19th century
New Zealand--History--19th century
New Zealand--Colonization