Pōtatau Te Wherowhero

Pōtatau Te Wherowhero 

 
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Potatau Te Wherowhero - Link
 
2 May 1858 Pootatau Te WherowheroNoo te 2 Mei 1858 ka whakawahia e Pootatau Te Wherowhero ki te Paipera tapu i Ngaaruawaahia. Naa Wiremu Tamihana te karakia whakauu i te wairua tapu ki te panepane o Te Wherowhero. Naa Rewi Maniapoto te kara i whakarere. Naa ngaa Rangatira te hiimene ‘Ka mahue a Ihipa’ i tau.
 
The 2nd of May is an historical day in the history of the Kiingitanga. After the travels of Matene Te Whiwhi across the country to interview appropriate candidates for the office of the King, after the grand hui of Te Heuheu at Pukawa on the shores of Lake Taupoo, after the many hui discussions with Tainui waka, Te Wherowhero (after he declined three times) finally agreed to the wishes of the people and accepted the Kiingitanga.
 
It was on the 2nd of May 1858 that Te Wherowhero was officially raised up at his paa in Ngaaruawaahia.His Paa overlooked the confluence of the Waikato and Waipa Rivers near a stream that flowed from a Puna into the river.Later, Te Puea Herangi built Turangawaewae house on the southern part of the paa and across the road a stone monument was erected in Te Wherowhero’s honour.
 
He had already been inducted with ancient karakia by Te Tamihana at Rangiaowhia. On this occasion, Tamihana prayed with christian verses and anointed Te Wherowhero with oil.Those present sang the Hymn ‘Ka Mahue a Ihipa’ (a Hymn sung when Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt in the great exodus. Maaori felt that the Kiingitanga was setting Maaori free from the bonds of oppression)
 
On this day Te Wherowhero Exclaimed ‘Kotahi te kowhao o te ngira, e kuhuna ai te miro maa, te miro whero me te miro pango. I muri i au kia mau ki te ture, te whakapono me te aroha, hei aha te aha, hei aha te aha!’
 
‘There is one eye of the needle through which the white, the red and the black threads must pass. After me hold fast to the Law, to the faith and to love, no matter what!’
 
Pootatau Te Wherowhero 2 May 1858 Kiingi o te Tika Paimaarire!