Post by Kiwi Frontline on Oct 11, 2017 16:29:49 GMT 12
REVISING NZ HISTORY 7: CELEBRATING PEACE – REWI AT WAITARA
Warmonger becomes peacemaker
Rewi Maniapoto had been the most active warrior chief in the king movement, joining with Kingi’s rebellion at Waitara in 1860, and driving Government Agent Gorst out of the Waikato in 1863 against the wishes of the ‘king’, Tawhiao, and his family.
But he later recognised that the war was over, that they were defeated and it was time for peace. Warmonger became peacemaker.
Thus when, in May 1878, Governor Grey came to Te Kopua and offered generous terms including the return of all confiscated land that had not been sold, Rewi was delighted – a load had been taken off his mind.
He, like most others, believed that the offer would be accepted, that it was a done deal.
Rewi sets out to heal the wounds
He immediately announced his intention to move to the next and final phase of peacemaking. He would call a great meeting of former foes, to leave behind old quarrels and celebrate friendship and unity, and to take care of what he saw as the one remaining bone of contention, ownership of Waitara.
Rewi set off immediately to travel to Mokau, to proclaim the terms of settlement and procure their concurrence. From Mokau he intended to proceed to Waitara, and meet William King, the leader of the rebels in the Taranaki war.
He hoped that he could be joined there by a number of chiefs from other parts of the North Island, and bury the hatchet on the spot where it was first used.
This, the great meeting of June 1878, was a festival occasion. It was a time of meetings between former enemies, a time to heal old wounds, to enjoy peace and friendship......
Continue reading Dr John Robinson’s # 7series published in the ‘Kapiti Independent’ here > kapitiindependentnews.net.nz/revising-nz-history-7-celebrating-peace-rewi-at-waitara/
Warmonger becomes peacemaker
Rewi Maniapoto had been the most active warrior chief in the king movement, joining with Kingi’s rebellion at Waitara in 1860, and driving Government Agent Gorst out of the Waikato in 1863 against the wishes of the ‘king’, Tawhiao, and his family.
But he later recognised that the war was over, that they were defeated and it was time for peace. Warmonger became peacemaker.
Thus when, in May 1878, Governor Grey came to Te Kopua and offered generous terms including the return of all confiscated land that had not been sold, Rewi was delighted – a load had been taken off his mind.
He, like most others, believed that the offer would be accepted, that it was a done deal.
Rewi sets out to heal the wounds
He immediately announced his intention to move to the next and final phase of peacemaking. He would call a great meeting of former foes, to leave behind old quarrels and celebrate friendship and unity, and to take care of what he saw as the one remaining bone of contention, ownership of Waitara.
Rewi set off immediately to travel to Mokau, to proclaim the terms of settlement and procure their concurrence. From Mokau he intended to proceed to Waitara, and meet William King, the leader of the rebels in the Taranaki war.
He hoped that he could be joined there by a number of chiefs from other parts of the North Island, and bury the hatchet on the spot where it was first used.
This, the great meeting of June 1878, was a festival occasion. It was a time of meetings between former enemies, a time to heal old wounds, to enjoy peace and friendship......
Continue reading Dr John Robinson’s # 7series published in the ‘Kapiti Independent’ here > kapitiindependentnews.net.nz/revising-nz-history-7-celebrating-peace-rewi-at-waitara/