Pa, President and Prophet
Description
Narrated by Alwyn Owen, the recording is a compilation of recorded statements from various sources including Dick Scott (historian), J.S. Strong (historian of Opunake) and Rigby Allan (Taranaki Museum Director) on the history of Parihaka and Te Whiti o Rongomai.
Source: Catalogue. Nga Taonga Korero. Sound Archives/Nga Taonga Korero. http://www.soundarchives.co.nz
Object detail
Part 1
00.00 - 14.05: Opens: "Parihaka was not a fortified pa...". Introduction re Te Whiti-o-Rongomai. Outlines confiscation of three million acres from Taranaki tribes. Reserves were set aside, but honoured in the breach. After the 1865 destruction of his village, Te Whiti established the Parihaka Pa. Comments from Dick Scott (historian), J.S. Strong (historian of Opunake). !878 economic depression led to the sale of Waimate lands and survey. Ploughmen take non-agressive action against local farmers. Comments from Rigby Allen, museum director. Government under Grey were not keen to arrest the Ploughmen. Settlers then declared Hawera a Republic which forced the government into action. Eventually the Armed Constabulary were sent out to arrest Te Whiti's followers. Laws passed to hold Ploughmen without trial. The 1880 government under Hall saw the appointment of John Bryce as Native Minister. He was despised by Maori. Road works begin in Taranaki, while Te Whiti's followers erect fences across them.
14.05 - 14.30: Johnny Awahou - comment.
14.30 - 21.24: 200 Parihaka Maori in jail at Hokitika. Eventually less than 90 men left in Parihaka. Arrests cease, and Bryce resigns. Royal Commission established and reports back but recommendations unacceptable to Te Whiti. Press come on side of government and incite war. Rolleston takes over from Bryce but Bryce later re-instated, and takes charge of an expedition to arrest Te Whiti and Tohu. 2500 troops led by Bryce. Women baked 500 loaves of bread for the soldiers, while children await the arrival of troops playing in the pa. Press blackout on reporting of events. Te Whiti and Tohu held prisoner without trial for two years.
21.24 - 21.53: Johhny Awahou - comment on rusty guns and rape of women by troops.
21.53 - 28.30: Parihaka village dispersed, Native reserves eroded. Parihaka rebuilt after Te Whiti's release. Later re-imprisoned for three months. Te Whiti and Tohu fall out over differences as to whether to take more agressive action. Te Whiti dies on November 18, 1907, aged 76. Of reserves 187, 000 acres promised, but at Te Whiti's death only 18,000 acres held in Maori ownership, much of this leasehold to Europeans. 1919 commission saw compensation for loss of land and destruction of Parihaka.
28.30 - 29.00: Commentary. Ends: "...in the NZBC."
Media: 1186
Duration: 0:29:00
Mediatype: DAT
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