Haurongo: Kūkūtai, Waata Pihikete

In the 1860s, when this photograph was taken, Waikato leader and Christian convert Waata Pihikete Kūkūtai was a staunch supporter of the government. He was head magistrate of the Taupari rūnanga, helped transport supplies for invading British forces up the Waikato River, and attained the rank of major in the New Zealand militia.