Story: Ngā haki – Māori and flags

Whanganui Māori and the Moutoa flag

Whanganui Māori and the Moutoa flag

This photo of Whanganui Māori in front of the Moutoa flag was probably taken in the 1890s or early 1900s. After the battle of Moutoa in Whanganui local Pākehā women made a flag to thank Māori who had assisted in defending the town of Whanganui. The flag features a Union Jack in the corner, the word 'Moutoa' in the centre and, above that, a Māori and Pākehā shaking hands. It was presented to Mete Kīngi Te Rangi Paetahi and the lower Whanganui people on 26 December 1865 at the unveiling of the Moutoa memorial.

It was later laid on coffins of important Whanganui leaders. The first occasion was after the death of Hoani Wiremu Hīpango in 1865. The flag was later laid on the coffin of Mete Kīngi Te Rangi Paetahi by Keepa Te Rangihiwinui when the former passed away in 1883, and it was laid on Te Rangihiwinui's coffin when he passed away in 1898.

In 1869 Keepa Te Rangihiwinui held the flag when he met with the Duke of Edinburgh. The flag was flown at a number of important occasions, including the return of members of the Māori (Pioneer) Battalion to Pūtiki in Whanganui. It was held privately for a number of years before being gifted to a museum.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Tourist and Publicity Department Collection
Reference: G-12420-1/2

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Malcolm Mullholland, 'Ngā haki – Māori and flags - Loyalists and flags', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/35214/whanganui-maori-and-the-moutoa-flag (accessed 19 March 2024)

Story by Malcolm Mullholland, published 20 Jun 2012