Author(s): Buddy Mikaere

Maori History, Society & Culture | Secondhand

Secondhand. 

In 1877 the prophet Hipa Te Maiharoa led a heke from Arowhenua into the high country. After decades of land loss and unease at settler society’s influence on tikanga, Te Maiharoa looked to the mountains to land not included in Kemp’s Deed. When parliamentary petitions and legal challenges failed, Te Maiharoa, senior chief Rawiri Te Maire, and more than 100 followers decided to reoccupy the land themselves. The aim was non-violent direct action. In the winter of 1877 they crossed the Waitaki, then travelled west in search of their promised land. Moving slowly over frozen ground, they travelled under old tapu, and drew new inspiration from the biblical story of the Israelites and settled at Te Ao Mārama in the upper Waitaki. Te Maiharoa and his followers spent two years in the small village they’d founded: cultivating and harvesting kai, teaching and learning tikanga in the whare rūnunga, and rekindling ahi kā across the high country. Wealthy, influential sheep barons and their shepherds were hostile and following intense political pressure, the government assembled the armed constabulary and delivered an ultimatum.

Te Maiharoa is said to have called out “I do not want action which sheds blood,” and the decision was made to leave their settlement of Te Ao Mārama in peace, settling anew in Korotuaheka.

Buddy Mikaere (Ngāti Pukenga, Ngai Te Rangi) has written a fascinating and little-known history of a Te Wai Pounamu Prophet and leader whose attempts to protect land interests and develop a safe community for his people were viewed by Pakeha settlers and ultimately the Government with suspicion and alarm.

First and second copies are in VG condition with blue/red inscription to the front endpaper.

Third copy is ex-library.