Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ances has found an appropriate home in a motley old milking barn and surrounding out-
houses. Oh, the irony of the welcome sign…
Matawhero Church
CHURCH
(
www.standrewsgis.org.nz/faith.html
;
Church Lane, off Saleyard Rd, Matawhero; 9am-5pm)
Some 7km west of the centre in the suburb of Matawhero, this historic Presbyterian
church is the only building in the village to have survived Te Kooti's 1868 raid. It's a
sweet timber affair with a bell turret and lovingly tended gardens.
Sunshine Brewing Company
BREWERY
OFFLINE MAP
GOOGLE MAP
( 06-867 7777;
www.gisbornegold.co.nz
; 109 Disraeli St; 9am-6pm Mon-Sat)
Sun-
shine Brewing Company, Gisborne's own natural brewery, offers four quality beers in-
cluding the famous Gisborne Gold and its big brother Green. Free tours and tastings by
arrangement.
TE KOOTI
Maori history is littered with mystics, prophets and warriors, one of whom is the le-
gendary Te Kooti (rhymes with naughty, not booty).
In 1865 he fought with the government against the Hauhau (adherents of the Pai
Marire faith, founded by another warrior-prophet) but was accused of being a spy
and imprisoned on the Chatham Islands without trial.
While there, Te Kooti studied the Bible and claimed to receive visions from the
archangel Michael. His charismatic preaching and 'miracles' - including producing
flames from his hands (his captors claimed he used phosphorus from the head of
matches) - helped win over the Pai Marire to his distinctly Maori take on Christian-
ity.
In 1867 Te Kooti led an astounding escape from the Chathams, hijacking a supply
ship and sailing to Poverty Bay with 200 followers. En route he threw a doubter
overboard as a sacrifice. Upon their safe arrival, Te Kooti's disciples raised their
right hands in homage to God rather than bowing submissively; ringa tu(upraised
hand) became the name of his church.
Te Kooti requested a dialogue with the colonial government but was once again
rebuffed, with magistrate Reginald Biggs demanding his immediate surrender. Un-
impressed by Pakeha (European New Zealander) justice, Te Kooti commenced a
particularly effective guerrilla campaign - starting by killing Biggs and around 50
others (including women and children, Maori and Pakeha) at Matawhero near Gis-
borne.
