Consequences of Parihaka

Direct Consequences
By 1881, Māori had been defeated, largely by the advantages the European had, in terms of numbers of professional soldiers and better war technology.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wider Consequences
Historians agree that the impact of the colonial experience in Taranaki, including the invasion of Parihaka, for Māori has been severe, and that a post-war syndrome has developed.
 

• Generations of Māori were brought up to believe that there was no future in being Māori.
• There is a distinctive lack of te reo Māori speakers in Taranaki.
• Traditional knowledge of land management and genealogy are critically short.
• Many older Māori in Taranaki tell of being told not to speak Māori, and to try and become Pākehā.
    

Cultural and social impacts of the confiscation are still being felt today

Parihaka Legacy

Waitangi Tribunal

• Waitangi Tribunal Report 1996.
   
• Hailed as the most important report issued by the Tribunal.
   
• The Waitangi Tribunal stated that the claims made by Taranaki (of which the story of Parihaka was included) could be the largest in the country.
   
• The Tribunal concluded: “Taranaki Maori...were denied their rights of autonomy, and as British subjects, their civil rights were removed. For decades, they were subjected to sustained attacks on their property and persons.”

Remembering Parihaka

Memories & Legacy

• Art Exhibition 2000: Parihaka: The Art of Passive Resistance.  

• NZ singer Tim Finn and the Herbs created a song about Parihaka.  

• Poetry has been written by Hone Tuwhare & James K Baxter.
   
• Petition led by Tariana Turia – Parihaka Day.
   
• Parihaka International Peace Festival 2010. 

• Artworks by Colin McCahon
   

Parihaka Memorial

• These are the words on Te Whiti's memorial at Parihaka:

 "He was a man who did great deeds in suppressing evil so that peace may  

reign as a means of salvation to all people on earth."

Other Quotes

“Te Whiti was a coward, safe in the rear goading the poor bastards on. As an old soldier I don’t like it. Parihaka has been grossly over-publicized – today he would be head of the biggest advertising agency in the country. His movement was political, not religious, and it is communists and anti-European troublemakers who try to keep it alive. Parihaka should be forgotten.”



- Interview with local farmer, J.S Stronge January, 1973.

“It is not my wish that evil should come to the two races. My wish is for the whole of us to live peaceably and happily on the land”.

- Te Whiti o Rongomai