Story: Religion and society

Prisoners at Maungapōhatu, 1916

Prisoners at Maungapōhatu, 1916

Rua Kēnana from Ngāi Tūhoe claimed to be the successor to Te Kooti, the founder of the Ringatū religion. Rua established the City of God community at Maungapōhatu in the Urewera and described himself as Mihāia (the messiah). He opposed Māori volunteering for the First World War. In 1916 charges were laid against him for unlawfully supplying alcohol, and an expedition led by Police Commissioner John Cullen marched to Maungapōhatu and arrested Rua and others. Two supporters were killed in the melee. Here Rua (on foot, beside the horse) is led from Maungapōhatu. Cullen is riding the horse.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: 1/2-028066-F
Photograph by Arthur Ninnis Breckon

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.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

John Stenhouse, 'Religion and society - Māori and religion', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/28405/prisoners-at-maungapohatu-1916 (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by John Stenhouse, published 5 May 2011, reviewed & revised 4 Apr 2018