Within 20 years of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, large areas of tribal land had passed from Māori to Pākehā ownership. Some central North Island tribes wished to retain their lands, and combined under a single leader with the title of Māori king. Waikato chief Te Wherowhero was declared the first Māori king in 1858, taking the name Pōtatau. These three flags were flown at Kīngitanga (King movement) gatherings.
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Reference:
1992-0035-1631/4A
Watercolour by W. F. Gordon
Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.
Tāpiritia te tākupu hou