Story: Kāwanatanga – Māori engagement with the state

Armed police, Urewera, April 1916

Armed police, Urewera, April 1916

A party of 70 police from throughout New Zealand assembles at Ruatāhuna in the Urewera for an issue of revolvers, rifles and ammunition. This force, led by Police Commissioner John Cullen (standing far left), is about to march to Maungapōhatu, the religious community led by Rua Kēnana. During the leader's arrest on charges of illegally selling alcohol, two of his followers were killed and several others wounded. Four police officers were also wounded.

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Auckland City Libraries - Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero, Sir George Grey Special Collections
Reference: 7-A3319a

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How to cite this page:

Paul Meredith and Rawinia Higgins, 'Kāwanatanga – Māori engagement with the state - Implementing kāwanatanga', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/37440/armed-police-urewera-april-1916 (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Paul Meredith and Rawinia Higgins, published 20 Jun 2012, updated 1 Aug 2016