Story: Māori prophetic movements – ngā poropiti

Te Kooti

Te Kooti Arikirangi Te Tūruki was an important Māori prophet and founder of the Ringatū faith. There are surprisingly few images of Te Kooti, and the authenticity of the majority of them is in doubt. This sketch is believed to be an authentic image and was drawn in the 1880s. Formerly said to be the work of Richard Laishley, it is now believed to be the work of Thomas Ryan who was present at Te Kōpua in 1887 during a speech by Te Kooti.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library

Reference: A-114-004-2

by Thomas Aldworth Ryan

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

Judith Binney, Māori prophetic movements – ngā poropiti – Te Kooti – Ringatū, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/27722/te-kooti (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Judith Binney, published 13 April 2011.

Comments

emmy
01 June 2011

ki ora I am the direct desendant of this man .I believe this to be a true drawing as he look's like my greatgrandmother ,an aire resembalance.