Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE KING COUNTRY
Holding good claim to the title of NZ's rural heartland, this is a no-nonsense place that
raises cattle and All Blacks. A bastion of independent Maoridom, it was never conquered in
the war against the King Movement. The story goes that King Tawhiao placed his hat on a
large map of NZ and declared that all the land it covered would remain under his mana (au-
thority), and the region was effectively off limits to Europeans until 1883.
The Waitomo Caves are the area's major drawcard. An incredible natural phenomenon in
themselves, they also feature lots of adrenaline-inducing activities.
KINGITANGA
The concept of a Maori people is a relatively new one. Until the mid-19th century, NZ was effectively comprised
of many independent tribal nations, operating in tandem with the British from 1840.
In 1856, faced with a flood of Brits, the Kingitanga (King Movement) formed to unite the tribes to better resist
further loss of land and culture. A gathering of leaders elected Waikato chief Potatau Te Wherowhero as the first
Maori king, hoping that his increased mana (prestige) could achieve the cohesion that the British had under their
queen.
Despite the huge losses of the Waikato War and the eventual opening up of the King Country, the Kingitanga
survived - although it has no formal constitutional role. A measure of the strength of the movement was the huge
outpouring of grief when Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, Potatau's great-great-great-granddaughter, died in
2006 after 40 years at the helm. Although it's not a hereditary monarchy (leaders of various tribes vote on a suc-
cessor), Potatau's line continues to the present day with King Tuheitia Paki.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Kawhia
POP 670
Along with resisting cultural annihilation, low-key Kawhia (think mafia with a K) has
avoided large-scale development, retaining its sleepy fishing-village vibe. There's not
much here except for the general store, a couple of takeaways and a petrol station. Even
Captain Cook blinked and missed the narrow entrance to the large harbour when he sailed
past in 1770.
Sights & Activities
 
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