'Save the land and the people'

To Te Kooti Arikirangi Te Tūruki, one of the most important Māori leaders of the 19th century, Ōhiwa Harbour was a significant place in life, and ultimately in death. 

 

In the tense political climate of the 1860s Te Kooti became a controversial ‘rebel’ (so called by the colonial authorities) and prophet among Māori angry at the loss of their land. His guerrilla raids prompted the longest man-hunt in New Zealand history. Early in 1869, he and many of his supporters took shelter from colonial troops on Hokianga Island in Ōhiwa Harbour. 

 

Once he renounced violence, Te Kooti strongly promoted unity and peace. He founded the Ringatū faith and was seen as a divinely-inspired leader. At Otorohanga in the King Country he said on 15 April 1891 ‘My word simply is: save the land and the people’. In 1892 he was living semi-permanently on Hokianga Island and built a house, known as Te Here-o-te-Rā, to give the faith a home. Later, a centre for the religion was established at Wainui where Te Kooti had been granted some land.

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Many people in the Eastern Bay converted to Te Hāhi Ringatū and the religion is still practiced today. Te Kooti died on 17 April 1893 at Te Karaka, across from Hokianga Island, below the Hiwarau ridge.

 

After Te Kooti’s death, a number of prophets claimed to be his successor, son, or the Mīhaia (Messiah) he had prophesied. Rua Kēnana Hepetipa from Tūhoe, was the most well-known. Following his prophetic vision at Maungapōhatu in Te Urewera, Rua Kēnana built a meeting house on Hokianga Island which he called Te Poho o Tūhoe, the Bosom of the Tūhoe people. It was at Ōhiwa that Rua said he would walk on water.

 

Hokianga Island, now uninhabited, remains in Māori ownership. 

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