Parihaka-Tohu Kakahi and Te Whiti o Rongomai

Kia ora Readers.

Today in class we learning all about Parihaka & Tohu kakahi and Te Whiti o rongomai.

WHO:

Parihaka was founded by kakahi and Te Whiti o Rongomai.

WHERE:

Tohu and Te Whiti wanted peace for their people and they decided to lay down their wapons for their rights through peace.

WHAT:

Tohu and Te Whiti fought the government by getting their followers to do thing such as pull out surveyors pegs or rebuild fences that the government troops pulled down. Meetings were held on the 18th and 19th of each month to talk through issues and ideas

WHEN:

On 5th November 1881,government troops arrested many of the man of Parihaka,including Tohu and Te Whiti. When the man were released back to Parihaka after 1 year and 6 months, they continued their peaceful protests and Te Whiti was arrested again in 1886. 

NOW:

In 2003, Parihaka was visited by representatives of people such as Martin Luther King Jnr, Mahatma Ghandi and of the Japanese peace movement. There remains a small community living around the Parihaka marae and they still meet on the 18th and 19th of each month. 

TOHU KAKAHI AND TE WHITI O RONGOMAI

Tohu and Te Whiti were the leaders of a pa called Parihaka. Parihaka is in region of Taranaki. They started the village as a safe haven for people who wanted a peaceful resolution to the fighting over the land between Maori and Pakeha. Tohu was born in 1810 in a place called Puketapu. Tohu was married to Wairangi and together they had five cildren. Tohu's name meant 'sign'. His sign was the albatross that landed at Tohu's marae and left behind a feather. He saw this as a symbol of peace. Te Whiti was married to hikurangi, who was Wairangi's sister. Te Whiti was named after a comet that is associated with Puke Te Whiti, a hill in the Pouakai Ranges. The Maori see this hill as being a symbol of standing guard over the past, the presnt and the future. Te Whiti was seen as a protector of the people and he often spoke to the people of Parihaka about being patient. Both man were strong advoates of peaceful resolution. The Government of New Zealand arrested the two man as they did not like what the two were doing. They finally released them 1 year and 6 months late. The man then continund to rebuild the villagn of Parihaka.