Rua Kenana Hepetipa

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Rua Kenana Hepetipa (1869–1937) was a Māori prophet, faith healer, and leader of the Iharaira (Israelite) movement in New Zealand. He is best known for establishing the community of Maungapohatu in the Urewera region and for his resistance to the New Zealand government's policies towards the Māori people.

Early Life

Rua Kenana was born in 1869 in the Urewera region of the North Island of New Zealand. He was of the Tūhoe and Ngāti Kahungunu tribes. Rua claimed to have had a vision in 1905, which led him to believe he was the successor to the Māori prophet Te Kooti.

The Iharaira Movement

Rua founded the Iharaira movement, which combined elements of Christianity with traditional Māori beliefs. He preached a message of self-sufficiency and independence from the Pākehā (European New Zealanders). His followers regarded him as a prophet and a messianic figure.

Maungapohatu

In 1907, Rua established the community of Maungapohatu in the Urewera mountains. The settlement was intended to be a utopian society where his followers could live according to his teachings. Maungapohatu became a center of resistance against the New Zealand government's policies, particularly those related to land confiscation and the imposition of European laws.

Conflict with the Government

Rua's activities and the establishment of Maungapohatu brought him into conflict with the New Zealand government. In 1916, Rua was arrested after a violent confrontation between his followers and the police at Maungapohatu. He was charged with sedition and sentenced to 18 months in prison. His arrest and imprisonment were controversial and are seen by many as an example of the government's attempts to suppress Māori autonomy.

Later Life and Legacy

After his release from prison, Rua continued to lead his followers, although his influence waned. He died in 1937. Rua Kenana Hepetipa is remembered as a significant figure in Māori history and a symbol of resistance against colonial oppression. His life and work have been the subject of numerous studies and continue to be of interest to historians and scholars of Māori culture.

See Also

• Māori religion
• Te Kooti
• Tūhoe
• New Zealand land wars
• Māori protest movements

Further Reading

• Māori prophets
• New Zealand history
• Māori culture