Te Kooti
Māori leader, guerrilla fighter, founder of the Ringatū religion.
via Wikipedia: Political history of New Zealand · see source
Te Kooti Arikirangi Te Tūruki (c. 1832 – 1893) was a Māori leader, guerrilla fighter, and the founder of the Ringatū religion. Accused of spying for the government during the New Zealand Wars, he was exiled to the Chatham Islands without trial. He is known for leading a dramatic escape from exile in the Chatham Islands and for a series of raids that sparked a military campaign known as Te Kooti's War.
- born
- c. 1832, Te Pā-o-Kahu, Gisborne region, New Zealand
Lore & Background
Te Kooti's early life is obscure. As a young man, Te Kooti was troublesome, engaging in theft and plunder, and was sent to the Waerenga-a-Hika mission school run by Reverend Thomas Samuel Grace. There he experienced visions, became a religious leader, and founded the Ringatū faith.
Reader's Guide
Te Kooti's significance lies in his dual role as a religious founder and a military leader. His Ringatū faith, centered on the 'upraised hand,' continues to be practiced in New Zealand today. His legacy is complex, marked by both violence and spiritual leadership, and he is remembered as a figure of resistance and resilience.
Did You Know?
- Te Kooti was never tried for the spying accusation that led to his exile.
- During the escape, fellow exile Te Warihi was thrown overboard in a ritual killing when the ship was becalmed.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Te Kooti?
Te Kooti Arikirangi Te Tūruki, born around 1832 in Te Pā-o-Kahu in New Zealand's Gisborne region, was a Māori leader and guerrilla fighter who became one of the most prominent figures of the New Zealand Wars. He is also widely recognized as the founder of the Ringatū religion.
What is Ringatū and what does it have to do with Te Kooti?
Ringatū is a religious movement that Te Kooti established, making him its founding spiritual figure. It stands as one of his most enduring legacies, extending his influence well beyond his military actions.
Why was Te Kooti exiled to the Chatham Islands?
During the New Zealand Wars, Te Kooti was accused of spying for the colonial government. Instead of being given a trial, he was sent into exile on the Chatham Islands, a sentence that ultimately set the stage for his famous escape.
What was Te Kooti's War?
Te Kooti's War was a military campaign mounted by colonial forces in response to a series of raids Te Kooti carried out after fleeing the Chatham Islands. The conflict represented one of the last major armed confrontations of the broader New Zealand Wars.
How did Te Kooti escape the Chatham Islands?
While held in exile on the Chatham Islands, Te Kooti led a dramatic escape that brought him back to the main islands of New Zealand. That escape directly triggered the raids that sparked the military campaign known as Te Kooti's War.
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