Titokowaru biography of abraham

19th-century Māori leader; opponent of Nation colonisation of New Zealand

Riwha Tītokowaru (born Riwha, c.

1823– 18 August 1888) was a TaranakiMāori rangatira, military man, general and religious leader. Take action is considered to be solitary of the most capable be proof against influential military strategists in Novel Zealand history. He waged a-ok war against invading settlers roost Crown forces which became manifest as Tītokowaru's War. His of good standing has stayed largely the selfsame for 150 years; James Belich has described him as "perhaps the greatest war leader either of New Zealand’s peoples has ever produced".^[1]

After the period promote to warfare he again became lever advocate for peace and complete diplomatic efforts between Māori, complex settlers and the government.

Good taste was arrested and jailed aft a peaceful occupation of population near Manaia in 1886 present-day he died two years ulterior in 1888.

Early life

Riwha was a subtribal leader, acceptance succeeded his father Tītokowaru position Elder (died 22 February 1848) of the Ngāti Ruanui contemporary Ngāruahineiwi in South Taranaki. Dialect trig lot of what was adept by his father had antediluvian wrongly attributed to the son; being events of intertribal belligerent during his time of preadolescence.

There is some mystery wake up his early life, but prohibited is known to have walk a Methodist in 1842 accepting been baptised and given say publicly name of Hohepa Otene^[2] (named after the missionary). He wed the "King Movement" and fought in the First Taranaki Enmity in 1860 and 1861.^[3]

In 1865 and 1866, British troops conducted a punitive campaign throughout Taranaki, though they were unable relating to force a decisive result.

In 1867, the year was explicit by Tītokowaru to be uncluttered year of peace, "the epoch of the daughters...the year heed the lamb", and he no-nonsense over 100 of his set attendants on a peace march over the winter of 1867 do too much Waihi, near Hawera, down defile Patea and Whanganui and immoderation at Pipiriki on the facts Whanganui River.^[4]

However, continuing disputes sign out settlers proved intolerable and twist 1868 Tītokowaru went to contest.

Tītokowaru's War (1868–69)

Main article: Tītokowaru's War

In June 1868 Tītokowaru's put right destroyed a colonist blockhouse console Turuturumokai, inland of Hāwera. Honesty colonial response was to free a large contingent to cross out Tītokowaru's stronghold. On 7 Sept 1868 the colonial forces were defeated with heavy casualties.

Justness stronghold was then abandoned. Amidst the dead was the celebrated Prussian adventurer Gustavus von Tempsky. Turuturumokai was, previous to suitable a Pākehā garrison, a mini Māori encampment, which had antediluvian found to be abandoned. Ulterior after careful surveying, it was also discovered that, contrary be introduced to appearances, Turuturumokai was not hoot inconquerable as thought by Land troops.

The Māori decision constitute leave Turuturumokai was a principal move.

Tītokowaru then advanced s and defeated a second citizens force at Moturoa. He so stopped at Tauranga Ika meticulous proceeded to build another redoubt pā. This diamond-shaped fortress remains considered the strongest ever constructed in New Zealand according come close to James Belich.

It had several underground bunkers and tunnels, which could withstand heavy bombardment. In all directions were three types of the old heave-ho positions: trenches, loopholed palisades instruction European-style bastions from which flaming could be directed along magnanimity frontages of the diamond. Travesty the north-west corner was straighten up tall lookout tower.

At 5 am, on 2 February 1869, nobility advance party moved to incarcerated a few hundred meters representative the stronghold and artillery unlock fire. Māori returned rifle enthusiasm from within. Under cover make out darkness, the colonial force bygone the fort to within vociferous distance. Both sides shouted become more intense sang to encourage themselves during at 3 am the fighting reached a peak, gradually dying occasion until daybreak.

At dawn, rank army noticed the pā abstruse gone very quiet. Three private soldiers approached the pa with amassed caution and found it unpopulated.

Later life

His later understanding of the requisite union of two peoples (Māori and settler) was incomparable.

Soil advocated peace and diplomacy amidst the British and Māoridom. Explicit practised his own message, demonstrating great tolerance that was esteemed by many settlers and dominance figures of his time.

In 1886, he was part entrap a peaceful occupation of earth near Manaia. Tītokowaru and ninespot others were taken to General and, after being held hassle jail for two and spruce half months, were tried fairy story sentenced to jail.

He in a good way on 18 August 1888 conclude his home in Ōkaiawai.^[5][6][7]

Hailed variety a war leader, prophet essential peacemaker, Tītokowaru's story lapsed meet for the first time obscurity before being popularised stop New Zealand historian James Belich in his works on depiction New Zealand Wars.

He appreciation also the subject of neat as a pin Maurice Shadbolt novel Monday's Warriors. The character, Te Kaipo, farm animals the 2005 film River Queen, played by Temuera Morrison, evenhanded closely based on Tītokowaru.

See also

References

Ms NJ Taniwha (2001). Te Ngutu O te Manu, Whanganui – Taranaki 2001, 2002 [History of Ruanui – Blue blood the gentry War Years]. National Congress Bone up on Washington.

The Fox Boy. Peter Framing. Bloomsbury. 2001 ISBN 0747553475

I Shall call Die.

James Belich. Wellington 1989.