It's a historic day for the descendants of Tūhoe prophet Rua Kēnana as the Crown signs an agreement to grant him a statutory pardon.
Rua Kēnana pardoning agreement ceremony in Te Urewera. Photo: RNZ / John Boynton
Rua Kēnana, pictured about 1907, and Maungapōhatu Marae in 2016. Photo: Alexander Turnbull Library (Rua Kēnana) / Edward Gay
On 2 April 1916, armed police officers raided Maungapōhatu to arrest Mr Kēnana, in the process killing two men, including his son, in an exchange of gunfire.
The prophet was then imprisoned for 18 months for sedition.
Rua Kēnana (circa 1907). Photo: Alexander Turnbull Library / https://natlib.govt.nz/records/22692037
Rain bucketed down and the wind howled today as visitors from across the country were welcomed onto Maungapōhatu Marae, in the heart of Te Urewera.
The famed Tuhoe haka, Te Puuru, rang out in the surrounding valley peaks which were coated by thick fog.
Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell led a group representing the Crown, including Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson, onto the marae.
Mr Flavell said he felt a mix of emotions during the ceremony.
He said he was deeply moved by the re-enactment of the 1916 raid of Maungapōhatu last year, and said the community wanted closure from those events.
"To come back to follow up on what the community asked of me one year ago was pretty fulfilling."
Photo: RNZ / John Boynton
After the powhiri, the event moved inside where the agreement - between the Crown and the descendants of Ngā Toenga o ngā Tamariki a Iharaira me ngā uri o Maungapōhatu - was signed.
One of the signatories, Richard Tumarae, said the pardon would offer the younger generation a chance to move forward from the pain of the past.
The wild weather was also a good sign, Mr Tumarae said.
"Every time we have a significant event here in Maungapōhatu it always seems to rain.
"Our older people are showing their delight - albeit in tears from heaven."
Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell signing the agreement. Photo: RNZ / John Boynton
Rangi McClean last came to Maungapōhatu 40 years ago and said the occasion was magic.
Mr McClean said he was fortunate to be one of the signatories on the agreement.
He said once the paperwork was signed, the heavy rain stopped.
"The mist has lifted and to me that's an acknowledgement of our ancestors and pardoning of our tupuna Rua Kēnana."
The agreement comes with a declaration to restore the character, mana and reputation of Mr Kēnana, his descendants, and followers of the Iharaira Faith he founded.
The pardon will be official once legislation has been passed.
Photo: RNZ / John Boynton