Te Whiti-O-Rongomai was born in a small village close to Parihaka called Ngamotu, during 1830. He was the son of a minor chief in the Te Ati Awa tribe. As he grew older he attended Reminschiners Mission School, and excelled at Biblical studies. His family lived on the coast near Parihaka when Pakiha Burnt down his home village. Then he moved into the settlement of Parihaka.
After Te Whiti left school he set up a flour mill at Wera. Te Whiti Was a very spiritual man, sometimes known as a prophet or a religious teacher. Te Whiti never wanted to take up arms and never did. He helped protect passengers of the Lord Worlesy from rival tribes, during the 1870’s Parihaka had been the biggest village in the country. Ten years later Europeans started invading the land. They took land from the Maori and started treating people unfairly. The Europeans murdered tortured and harassed the Maori. That was when Te Whiti and relative Tohu decided to fight for their rights as Maori people. After protesting several times to the government two government officials came to discuss peace. After two hours Te Whiti and Tohu were taken to prison.
It was 1888 when Te Whiti was released from prison he returned to Parihaka. That was when the town started massively developing. With hot and cold water storm drains and street lighting. Te Whiti had helped with it all from the skills he had learned about technology when he was in prison. He showed this to his people.
Te Whiti died of old age in his home while he was sleeping But what will never die is the mark they left on New Zealand history. It is amazing that what he fought for never gave up. Even at the hardest and darkest times he never used violence to solve problems. I believe that his spirit will live in Parihaka forever.
By Tom Walsh.
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