Rua Kenana Hepetipa

Rua Kenana Hepetipa (1869 – 19 April 1937) was a notable New Zealand religious leader and founder of the Iharaira faith. He is often remembered for his role in resisting colonialism and asserting Māori rights and autonomy during the early 20th century. Rua Kenana claimed to be the successor to the Māori prophet Te Kooti, which garnered him a significant following among the Tūhoe people in the Urewera region.

Early Life

Rua Kenana was born in 1869 in the Bay of Plenty region, into the Ngāi Tūhoe tribe. His early life was marked by the New Zealand Wars and the subsequent confiscation of Māori land by the British Crown, experiences that would deeply influence his later activism and religious leadership.

Religious Leadership

In the late 19th century, Rua Kenana established the Iharaira faith, which blended Christianity with traditional Māori beliefs. He declared himself the "New Messiah" for the Māori people, promising to lead them to a new era of sovereignty and prosperity. His religious and political teachings attracted a large following, and he established a community at Maungapōhatu in the Urewera, which he envisioned as a self-sufficient haven for his people.

Resistance and Conflict

Rua Kenana's growing influence and his community's autonomy alarmed the New Zealand government, leading to tensions that culminated in the 1916 police raid on Maungapōhatu. The raid resulted in the deaths of two of Rua's followers and his subsequent arrest. He was charged with sedition and illicitly selling alcohol, though the sedition charge was later dropped. Rua Kenana served a prison sentence, and upon release, he returned to his community, although his influence was significantly diminished.

Legacy

Rua Kenana Hepetipa's legacy is complex. He is celebrated as a symbol of resistance against colonial oppression and as a champion of Māori sovereignty. However, his religious claims and the events at Maungapōhatu have also been sources of controversy. In recent years, there has been a reassessment of his contributions to the Māori rights movement, and in 2017, the New Zealand government formally pardoned him, acknowledging the injustice of his arrest and conviction.

Death and Commemoration

Rua Kenana died on 19 April 1937. His legacy lives on among the Tūhoe people and in New Zealand's broader historical narrative. Commemorative events and scholarly works continue to explore his life, teachings, and the impact of his movement.