Unity Or Divison?
The impact of Te Kingitanga on the Maori was both positive and negative. Not only did it bring the tribes together but it also tore them further apart. The Waikato war in particular had a positive impact on the Maori part of the Kingitanga as they the various tribes within the Kingitanga came together to form a battalion in which they managed the stop the Europeans from passing the aukati (the boundary line determining Maori and Pakeha territory) at Gate pa, Tauranga in April 1864 causing the British humiliation as the King Movement remained untouched.
'As War in the Waikato drew near, the early, fragile unity of the King Movement was threatened by division. It became clear that old patterns of hapu, chiefly and individual independence had not disappeared' - Dictionary of New Zealand Biography This passage from the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography shows how Te Kingitanga was causing further division within the maori Tribes.
|
However this unity seen in the Waikato War was short lived as a lot of the other tribes decided to side their loyalty with Queen Victoria- this created a division between the Maori; those loyal to the British (referred to as Kupapa Maori) against those who were part of the King Movement. Although it could also be possible that the reason for the Kupapa Maori was not their loyalty for the queen, but their way to fighting traditional rival tribes whom they also had a tiff with.The Kupapa Maori were also making land sales with the British which was causing more confiscation of Maori Land, however historian Michael King believed kūpapa Māori generally prospered in the aftermath of the New Zealand Wars. Their land escaped confiscation and they received positive government attention and rewards including 'ceremonial swords for their leaders, monuments for their dead, and consultation on some matters of public policy_.
|
These photographs show the unity of the Kingitanga on Maori, however they also show the Europeans coming together with the Maori indicating the start of unity both cultures