Story: Ngāti Porou

Rāpata Wahawaha

Rāpata Wahawaha

Some important military leaders emerged within Ngāti Porou who opposed the Hauhau movement in their region. One was Rāpata (or Rōpata) Wahawaha. This portrait of him was painted in 1890 by the Bohemian-born artist Gottfried Lindauer, who specialised in portraits of Māori people. Depicted late in his life, Rāpata is wearing the New Zealand Cross he was awarded for participating in the government’s campaign against Te Kooti.

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Auckland Art Gallery – Toi o Tāmaki
Oil painting by Gottfried Lindauer

Permission of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Tamati Muturangi Reedy, 'Ngāti Porou - New leaders', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/661/rapata-wahawaha (accessed 24 April 2024)

Story by Tamati Muturangi Reedy, published 8 Feb 2005, updated 1 Mar 2017