Story: Kīngitanga – the Māori King movement

King Tāwhiao

King Tāwhiao

This portrait of the second Māori king, Tāwhiao Matutaera Pōtatau Te Wherowhero, was made in 1882, 22 years after Tāwhiao inherited the title from his father. He holds a ceremonial whalebone patu (club) and wears a cloak, probably made from kiwi feathers.

Using this item

Auckland Art Gallery – Toi o Tāmaki
Oil painting 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:

Rahui Papa and Paul Meredith, 'Kīngitanga – the Māori King movement - Tāwhiao, 1860–1894', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/37862/king-tawhiao (accessed 25 September 2023)

Story by Rahui Papa and Paul Meredith, published 20 Jun 2012, reviewed & revised 2 Mar 2023