Tohu Kakahi
Tohu Kakahi became a significant historical figure in New Zealand’s early history, along with Te Whiti, for the establishment of the pacifist community of Parihaka. Tohu was born to parents Te Toamai (father) and mother Kiekie. Tohu is related to Te Whiti due to his father’s cousin, Hone Kakahi, being Te Whiti’s father. Tohu is also of prominent Maori patronage as he is a descendant of Nga Potiki-taua and Te Rangi-apiti-rua, chief of the Te Ati Awa iwi. Like Te Whiti, Tohu has combined Taranaki and Te Ati Awa descent. Tohu’s early life is not well known but some accounts say that he was born on the 22 January 1828 at Pupetapu. Tohu and his family moved to either Waikanae or southern Taranaki due to the risk of the musket raiders. Tohu was probably introduced to Christianity by Minarapa Rangihatuake of Taranaki, a freed Nga Puhi slave and most likely took part in the Tikanga Hou (the new doctrine) movement at Warea in 1845.Tohu’s baptismal name was Hemi. Tohu and Te Whiti went to Johann Riemenschneider’s mission school at Warea where Tohu and Te Whiti later preached that Maori were the lost tribes of Israel and how the Europeans would eventually take over their land. Tohu is said to have displayed a ‘warlike temperament’ [1], taking part in the Hauhau attack on Sentry Hill in 1864 in northern Taranaki. He was later named the Hauhau leader at Te Puru in June 1865 and Waikoukou in February 1866. Tohu also participated in signing and sending letters to the government expressing his disapproval over their actions and treatment of Maori. In December 1865 Te Ua ordered Te Whiti, Tohu and Taikomako (Te Whiti’s half-brother) to undertake his religious work. Due to this, the three men joined together at Parihaka, following the battle at Waikoukou. Here, Tohu and Te Whiti organised talks in which they taught on governmental actions of land confiscations, they discussed their distrust on Pakeha values and often talked on Christian teachings. It is interesting to note that Europeans were welcome to these regular meetings.
Tohu married Wairanga, or Mohia, a sister of Hikurangi Te Whiti’s wife. They had five children; three sons (Te Toamai Rangikotuki, Nohoanga- pani and Te Kakapi-o-te-rangi) and two daughters; Pukohu and Parekauri. Tohu passed away on 4 February 1907, after suffering a hip injury a couple of years before. Is it said that he was buried without a coffin and his grave at Parihaka remains unmarked.
Tohu became a significant figure due to his participation with the government and standing up for the rights of Maori and acting as a voice for them, especially in the Taranaki region. Tohu and Te Whiti together became a significant duo in which they voiced concerns and lead Maori into a passive resistance movement against the European settlers. Tohu, and Te Whiti’s legacy is significant as they did not lead a violent campaign against the Europeans and government, instead communicated their peaceful ideas and resisted violent actions. This would have been significant at the time as the 'normalised' way to communicate and deal with issues was to participate in violence and conflict.
[1] http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/2t44/tohu-kakahi
Tohu married Wairanga, or Mohia, a sister of Hikurangi Te Whiti’s wife. They had five children; three sons (Te Toamai Rangikotuki, Nohoanga- pani and Te Kakapi-o-te-rangi) and two daughters; Pukohu and Parekauri. Tohu passed away on 4 February 1907, after suffering a hip injury a couple of years before. Is it said that he was buried without a coffin and his grave at Parihaka remains unmarked.
Tohu became a significant figure due to his participation with the government and standing up for the rights of Maori and acting as a voice for them, especially in the Taranaki region. Tohu and Te Whiti together became a significant duo in which they voiced concerns and lead Maori into a passive resistance movement against the European settlers. Tohu, and Te Whiti’s legacy is significant as they did not lead a violent campaign against the Europeans and government, instead communicated their peaceful ideas and resisted violent actions. This would have been significant at the time as the 'normalised' way to communicate and deal with issues was to participate in violence and conflict.
[1] http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/2t44/tohu-kakahi