About
I am interested in the East Coast wars because they represent a time in New Zealand’s history when everything was changing. Pakeha society had become dominant. The King Movement in Taranaki and the Waikato which had resisted land sales and Pakeha settlement had been defeated. Many Maori tribes were being absorbed willingly into the Pakeha way of living.
The Pai Marire movement that began in Taranaki in 1863 was a religious cult that blended Christian belief with traditional Maori spiritual beliefs. It was opposed to Pakeha expansion and domination. The followers of the movement which was called HauHau started a violent campaign against the government.
I find it incredible that one man could have such an impact on New Zealand history through a violent campaign that made him for many years easily the most feared man in New Zealand. The division that his campaign caused amongst Maori have only been laid to rest this year a whole 139 years since the East Coast wars ended.
I have enjoyed studying about the East Coast wars because it is New Zealand history. It is part of my heritage and I would much rather learn about my own country’s history than someone else’s.
Jonathan Griffith