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Story: Tūranga i te hapori – status in Māori society

Rāpata Wahawaha

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Rāpata Wahawaha

Rāpata Wahawaha was a military leader from Ngāti Porou. As a child he was a captive slave, but was eventually returned to his people. Despite his time as a slave, he rose to be an important leader of his people.

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Auckland Art Gallery – Toi o Tāmaki

by Gottfried Lindauer

Permission of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Basil Keane, Tūranga i te hapori – status in Māori society – Changes in leadership, 19th century, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/31133/rapata-wahawaha (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Basil Keane, published 3 May 2011.