Te Tokanganui-a-Noho wharenui (meeting house) is located on State Highway 3 in the centre of Te Kūiti. It was built in 1873 under the direction of the Māori leader and prophet Te Kooti, who lived in Te Rohe Pōtae (the King Country) from 1872 until 1893. He gifted the house to Ngāti Maniapoto as a gesture of thanks for their hospitality not long before receiving a government pardon in 1883. The house has been relocated three times, the last time to make way for the railway line.
Te Kooti and his followers were associated with over 40 meeting houses and he is credited with fostering their architectural development. Because of this, Te Tokanganui-a-Noho is of national historic and cultural significance, as well as being a focal point for Ngāti Maniapoto.
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Private collection
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