November 05, 2015
Lessons drawn from Parihaka resistance
It's unofficially Parihaka Day, when people remember the 1881 invasion of the small Taranaki settlement by colonial forces.
Parihaka community spokesperson Ruakere Hond says it's a day when whanau look back with pride at the strong stance taken by their tupuna not only to resist the taking of their lands but to do so without violence.
He says it's something everyone can celebrate.
"In Aotearoa we have an instance of people using passive resistance, using this concept of non-violence and it being successful. As a country it's not so much a sense of pride for everyone but it's a level of awareness and it's an opportunity to discuss peace and non-violence," Mr Hond says.
The events of 1881 are formally marked at the pa on the 7th of November which is the day when the ultimatum to surrender from Native Minister William Bryce expired.
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