Story: Tūranganui-a-Kiwa tribes

Prisoners exiled to the Chatham Islands

Prisoners exiled to the Chatham Islands

In 1865 many Māori at Tūranganui-a-Kiwa were converted to the Pai Mārire (Hauhau) faith and clashed with government forces. Prisoners taken by the government were exiled to the Chatham Islands. Included in their number was the future leader Te Kooti. This photograph, taken in 1866, shows the third batch of prisoners awaiting to embark from the Napier foreshore. They are thought to be mainly people of the Rongowhakaata tribe, and Te Kooti may be among them.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, C. G. Coxhead Collection
Reference: F-118691-1/2
Photograph by Charles Robson

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Nick Tūpara, 'Tūranganui-a-Kiwa tribes - Contacts and conflicts', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/2322/prisoners-exiled-to-the-chatham-islands (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Nick Tūpara, published 8 Feb 2005, updated 1 Mar 2017