Te Kooti facts for kids

Te Kooti Arikirangi Te Turuki (born in Gisborne, New Zealand, around 1832–1893) was an important Māori leader. He founded the Ringatū religion and was also a skilled guerrilla fighter.

In 1865, while helping government forces fight against the Hauhau, Te Kooti was accused of being a spy. He was sent away to the Chatham Islands without a trial, along with some captured Hauhau fighters. While there, he had special visions and became a religious leader. In 1868, he led 168 prisoners in a daring escape. They took control of a ship called the Rifleman and sailed back to the North Island. After returning, Te Kooti began a series of actions that led to a military campaign known as Te Kooti's War. He was later pardoned in 1883. After his pardon, he continued to spread the Ringatū message of peace and worked to help Māori people get their land back from European settlers (Pakeha).

Te Kooti's Early Life

Te Kooti's early years are not fully known. He was born around 1832 in the Gisborne area. His father was Hone Rangipatahi, and his mother was Hine Turakau. They belonged to the Rongowhakaata tribe (iwi), specifically the Ngati Maru family group (hapū). Their villages were located near the Awapuni lagoon, where the Waipaoa River meets the ocean. His first name is thought to have been Arikirangi.

A wise person (a matakite) from the Mahia Peninsula named Toiroa Ikariki (Ikarihi) spoke of Te Kooti's birth long before it happened. This prophecy also mentioned the arrival of the white settlers, known as the Pākehā:

This song dates back to 1766. The Pakerewhā were strangers with red or white skin. Arikirangi was a grandchild of Toiroa who was yet to be born.

The name Te Kooti is believed to be his Christian baptismal name.

Te Kooti attended the Mission School at Whakato, near Manutuke, in 1846–1847. There, he was taught by Samuel Williams and his uncle, William Williams. They helped him learn about the Bible.

However, Te Kooti had some conflicts with local chiefs and settlers. He later left home and worked on different ships that traded along the coasts of the North Island.

Life in Exile

In 1865, Te Kooti was fighting alongside government forces against the Pai Marire (also known as the Hauhau cult). During this time, he was arrested because he was accused of being a spy. He was sent to the Chatham Islands without a trial, along with the rebels he had been fighting against. Te Kooti often demanded a trial, but he never received one.

While on the Chatham Islands, Te Kooti began to have visions and became a religious leader. Other prisoners called him Tawhaki, meaning "the twice born," because he survived tuberculosis when it was not expected. Te Kooti gained many followers among the Māori prisoners on the island. He started a new faith called Ringatū, which means "upraised hand." This religion is still practiced in New Zealand today.

During his time on the Chatham Islands, Te Kooti married Maata Te Owai in a civil ceremony on July 27, 1867. Records from this marriage show that he was born in 1832.

The Great Escape

In 1868, Te Kooti predicted that two boats would arrive to take them off the island. On July 4, 1868, Te Kooti led a successful escape. He and 168 other prisoners took control of a ship called the Rifleman. They also took supplies and rifles. They sank another ship, the Florence, so that no one could raise the alarm. Then, they set sail back to the North Island.

One Chatham Island sergeant was killed due to a personal disagreement. The European sailors on the Rifleman were allowed to live. They were told to sail towards the coast of New Zealand. The sailors tried to sail towards Wellington, but Te Kooti was a skilled sailor and made sure they stayed on course for the East Coast.

After four days at sea, the ship stopped moving because there was no wind. Te Kooti declared that a sacrifice was needed. Soon after, the ship began to move forward again.

When they arrived at Whareongaonga in Poverty Bay, Te Kooti asked the Māori King Movement and the Tuhoe tribes for safety, but they said no. He also tried to talk with the government, but they refused. Te Kooti then sent a message saying that if the government wanted a war, he would give it to them in November.

Te Kooti's War

On November 10, 1868, Te Kooti and his followers attacked the town of Matawhero, near Gisborne. Many people were killed, including local Māori and European settlers. This attack was likely an act of revenge for Te Kooti's imprisonment.

After this, government forces and Māori who supported the government began to pursue Te Kooti. His community was surrounded at Ngatapa, but Te Kooti and his warriors managed to escape.

From there, Te Kooti was chased to Te Porere. He built a fortified village (a pa) there. British forces, including some opposing Māori troops led by Major Kepa, attacked the pa. After much fighting, the British broke through. Te Kooti had to leave the pa, and many were killed or wounded. Te Kooti himself was shot in the finger during his escape.

Te Kooti then escaped into the Urewera region and formed an alliance with the Tuhoe leaders.

From 1869 to 1872, Te Kooti and his followers carried out raids across the central North Island. They were constantly pursued by their enemies, both colonial and Māori. Te Kooti's power began to weaken when his Tuhoe allies were defeated. However, Te Kooti managed to escape again. This time, he went to the King Country, where he was protected by the Māori King for the next ten years. During this time, Te Kooti focused on developing his religion.

Pardon and Later Life

In 1883, Te Kooti was pardoned by the government. After his pardon, he began to travel around New Zealand. His number of followers grew. He decided to return to his old home. However, people had not forgotten the past violence. A local judge arrested him and put him in prison, saying that his return would cause trouble. Te Kooti was released on the condition that he would never try to return to his old home again.

Te Kooti challenged this decision and was initially successful. But in 1890, the Court of Appeal decided that the fear and alarm Te Kooti's return would cause justified the judge's decision.