25 Sep 2013

Te Wherowhero - Part 13: Peace

From the collecton The Wednesday Drama

In the 1820s Te Wherowhero was almost continuously on the warpath, settling old tribal scores north and south. In the 1830's these campaigns wound down and Te Wherowhero turned his skills to peace, particularly as civil war amongst the Tainui tribes threatened sporadically. His military character ensured respect for him for he was honoured throughout the land. He also released all his captives. In 1840 he refused to sign the Treaty of Waitangi. When the missionaries came, he exhorted his people to embrace Christianity, but he never converted himself.