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Story: New Zealand Wars

Te Whai-a-te-Motu meeting house

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Te Whai-a-te-Motu meeting house

This meeting house was opened at Ruatāhuna in Te Urewera in April 1888. It was named Te Whai-a-te-Motu (pursuit through the island) to recall the pursuit of Te Kooti by government forces. Te Kooti sought refuge in Te Urewera on two occasions – in early 1869 following his escape from the fortress of Ngātapa, and again in 1870 and 1871 before he fled to the King Country in early 1872.

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How to cite this page

Danny Keenan, New Zealand Wars – Pursuit of Te Kooti, 1868–1872, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/36937/te-whai-a-te-motu-meeting-house (accessed 24 June 2026).

Story by Danny Keenan, published 11 June 2012, updated 29 November 2022.