Te Kooti, The Rebel Maori Chief.

Very rare portrait of Te Kooti, Rikirangi Te Turuki (c1830).

Te Kooti Rikirangi Te Turuki, a trader who had fought on the government side at earlier actions, was accused of supplying gunpowder to Hau Hau, then arrested in March 1866 and charged with spying and sent to the Chatham Islands along with Hau Hau prisoners of war where he claimed to have experienced various spiritual revelations which formed the basis of his new faith, the Ringa Tu and began holding religious services for his fellow prisoners. After 2 years the government released some senior chiefs and return them home.

Te Kooti became the main leader, and on 4 July 1868, led a revolt that disarmed the 6 elderly guards, killing one, took over the magazine and stole 31 rifles, 5 pistols and nearly 6000 rounds of ammunition. He then stole about 650 pounds from the Commander’s safe and private individuals. He also stole pigs from another ship, the Florence, as well as wine, knives, tomahawks and tobacco from the prison. He cut the anchor cable of the Florence and set it adrift. He then captured the supply ship Rifleman, which next day sailed for the mainland carrying virtually all the prisoners: 163 men, 64 women and 71 children.

The East Cape War covered most of the East Cape region and the centre of the North Island of New Zealand from July 1868 until mid-1872. It was the longest and in some ways the ugliest and most savage of all the New Zealand Wars with at least 28 conflicts ranging from minor skirmishes to substantial battles. In May 1872 Te Kooti was granted asylum by the Maori King, Tawhiao. Later in old age he again attempted an uprising and was imprisoned briefly but soon released. He died shortly afterwards in a cart accident.

From The Illustrated Sydney News.