Parihaka: Remembering November 5, 1881

Hear Ruakere Hond reflect on the invasion of Parihaka in 1881 and how it has impacted the Parihaka community.

Reflecting on a dark moment in Aotearoa New Zealand’s colonial history
What happened to the Māori at the small Māori settlement of Parihaka in Taranaki when 1,600 troops invaded and imprisoned their leaders, Te Whiti-o-Rongomai and Tohu Kākahi? Why has Parihaka become a symbol of peaceful resistance? How is the community dealing with this heritage and the Crown today?

Invasion of Parihaka
The invasion of Parihaka is one of the darkest moments in Aotearoa New Zealand’s colonial history. After the land confiscations of the Waimate Plains in the 1860s, Te Whiti-o-Rongomai and Tohu Kākahi developed tactics of non-violent resistance.

Many landless Māori had found a refuge in the Parihaka community. However, to Native Minister John Bryce Parihaka was the headquarters of fanaticism. On 5 November 1881, he ordered 1,600 troops to march on Parihaka to destroy the village and disperse or imprison the inhabitants without trial.

Parihaka today
Come and hear one of the key supporters of the Parihaka community, Ruakere Hond, reflect on the events and hear first-hand how Parihaka is getting on today.

Let us remember the invasion and discuss how we can create a brighter future for Parihaka.

About the speaker
Dr Ruakere Hond is a longstanding advocate of te reo Māori and a key supporter of the Parihaka community. He has held several leadership roles in Māori language organisations, including Te Reo o Taranaki, Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi and Te Ataarangi. He has served two terms as a member of the Te Taura Whiri i te reo Māori and is currently a Board member of Te Mātāwai, which leads implementation of the Maihi Māori language strategy. He was instrumental in working to achieve reconciliation between the Crown and the Parihaka community. He is also a member of the Waitangi Tribunal.

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