A sword-bearing guard stands to attention during the 1894 tangihanga for Tāwhiao, the second Māori king. Other members of the king's guard of honour stand at right with their weapons on the ground beside them. The tangi was attended by about 3,000 Māori from throughout the country. Many escorted King Tāwhiao's body from Pārāwera in the King Country to Taupiri on the Waikato River. After some days Pākehā visitors were allowed to witness the ceremony. Some can be seen at left and in the background.
Using this item
Alexander Turnbull Library, Josiah Martin Collection (PAColl-1893)
Reference: PAColl-1893-06
by Enos Silvanus Pegler
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.