Introduction:
The Kiingitanga, or Māori King movement, is a powerful symbol of Māori self-determination and cultural resilience. Its history, spanning over 160 years, is a testament to the enduring spirit of the Māori people in the face of colonization and its enduring legacy in the 21st century. This article traces the Kiingitanga’s journey from its establishment in 1858 through the tumultuous Waikato Wars, its return to Waikato after nearly 20 years of exile, the pivotal World Apology in 1995, and its current evolution into a dynamic and entrepreneurial force.
The Genesis of the Kiingitanga: A Response to Colonial Expansion:
The Kiingitanga emerged in the 1850s as a response to the rapid influx of European settlers and the increasing pressure on Māori to sell their land. Māori leaders, recognizing the power of a unified front, sought to establish a single sovereign to protect their interests and preserve their autonomy. The Kiingitanga based their vision on three positions. 1: To stop conflict and bloodshed between the tribes. 2: To unite all the tribes together under one purpose. 3: To stop the sale of land to foreign speculators.
In 1858, Pōtatau Te Wherowhero, a powerful Waikato chief, was crowned as the first Māori King at Ngāruawāhia. The Kiingitanga was not simply a symbolic gesture; it represented a political and cultural assertion of Māori sovereignty and a commitment to resisting further land alienation.
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The Waikato Wars: A Struggle for Survival and Land:
The early years of the Kiingitanga were marked by conflict. The colonial government, determined to secure control of the Waikato region, saw the Kingitanga as a threat to its authority. In 1863, British forces invaded Waikato, igniting the Waikato Wars at Rangiriri, Rangiaowhia and Orakau.
The Waikato people, under the leadership of Kiingi Tāwhiao, resisted fiercely but were ultimately defeated due to a lie told by Governor Grey, that the Kiingitanga was about to attack Auckland. This brought soldiers of the Commonwealth from all around the world who were also given a promise of land upon winning the war. 1.5 million acres of land were confiscated, which was lightly estimated to be worth between 12-18 billion dollars in the 1860s. Kiingi Tāwhiao and his followers were forced into exile in the King Country, a remote region in the central North Island. This period of exile, lasting nearly 20 years, tested the Kiingitanga’s resolve but also allowed it to solidify its identity as a symbol of resistance and cultural preservation.
Return to Waikato: A New Era of Negotiation and Reconciliation:
In 1881, after years of negotiation, Kiingi Tāwhiao and his people returned to Waikato. This return marked a shift in the approach of the Kingitanga. While continuing to advocate for the return of confiscated lands, Kiingi Tāwhiao also sought to engage with the government and secure a more equitable relationship.
Kiingi Tāwhiao introduced the vision for restoring the Kiingitanga through his Tongikura or proverb: Māku āno, e hanga, tōku nei whare. Ko te tāhuhu he Hīnau, ko ngā poupou, he Māhoe, he Patatē. I will rebuild my house. The spine will be Hīnau. The posts will be Māhoe and Patatē.
In 1884 Kiingi Tāwhiao decided to take a delegation with him and travel to England to meet with Queen Victoria regarding breaches to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, they went under the banner of peace established by the karakia of the tohunga Rangawhenua Tawhaki:
Kia hora te marino, kia whakapapa pounamu te moana, kia tere te karohirohi
i mua i tou huarahi. I te rangi nei, aroha atu, aroha mai, taatou I a taatou katoa.
“Let peace be wide spread, may the sea glisten like greenstone, be a shimmering light to guide you on your path this day. With love given, love is recieved for us all”
Whilst Kiingi Tāwhiao wasn’t able to meet with Queen Victoria due to beraucrates, Kiingi Tāwhiao became proactive building a strong foundation for the future. He established the Kauhanganui (Kiingitanga Parliament) to address political and social issues, and established the Regatta as a vehicle for cultivating and maintaining cultural practices. Finally, he established the Poukai, annual visits to Kiingitanga marae, became a vital platform for community engagement and cultural revitalization.
The World Apology: A Turning Point in the Relationship with the Crown:
The 20th century saw the Kiingitanga continue its advocacy for Māori rights and redress. The leadership of Queen Te Atairangikaahu, who reigned from 1966 to 2006, was instrumental in achieving significant progress.
Royal Apology 1995 photo / Newshub
A pivotal moment came in 1995 with the World Apology. Queen Elizabeth II, on behalf of the British Crown, formally apologized for the injustices inflicted on Māori during the Waikato Wars and the subsequent land confiscations.
It also came with $170 million dollars compensation, which in value estimates a return of one cent on the theft of over a billion dollars.
This apology, while long overdue, was a significant step towards reconciliation and a recognition of the Crown’s responsibility for past wrongs.
The Kiingitanga Today: Embracing Entrepreneurship and Sustainability:
The Kiingitanga has evolved into a dynamic and entrepreneurial force in the 21st century. Guided by the principles of kaitiakitanga (guardianship), whanaungatanga (connectedness), and manaakitanga (hospitality), the Kiingitanga is actively involved in promoting economic development, cultural preservation, and environmental sustainability within Māori communities.
Māori-owned businesses, supported by the Kiingitanga, are flourishing in sectors like agriculture, tourism, and renewable energy. The Kiingitanga’s leadership is also actively advocating for policy changes that support Māori economic empowerment and promote sustainable development.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Resilience and a Vision for the Future:
The Kiingitanga’s journey from its establishment in 1858 to its current position, has brought the vision of Kiingi Tāwhiao to fruition through the vital role each Arikinui played across generations.
Today, the Kiingitanga is a leading force in Māori entrepreneurship and sustainability, and is a remarkable story of resilience, resistance, and renewal. The Kiingitanga’s legacy is not only about the past but also about the future. It serves as a testament to the human spirit, of endurance and inspiration for Māori communities, demonstrating the power of cultural values, collective action, and a commitment to a sustainable future.
Photo / Supplied
