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The lost songs of Rua Kenana are set to be heard again as descendants of the Tūhoe prophet and his supporters work on the steps that will follow a statutory pardon.
Spokesperson Taiarahia Black says they are also preparing a plan for the revitalisation of Maungapōhatu within the framework of Whānau Ora
He says a huge amount of research has been done into the events that led to the invasion by armed police of Kenana’s Te Urewera stronghold 103 years ago.
Publications are being prepared of Kenana’s scriptural teachings and of traditional waiata, including one written by the prophet after a visit to Wellington where he was threatened with prosecution under the Tohunga Suppression Act.
"He was told by the crown 'pull yourself in or we will use this against you.' The prophet was distraught with that so he wrote compositions to explain how he felt. Those compositions for the first time will be available to Tamakaimoana I tell you now there is a remarkable story in there, a new genre, a new narrative that has been produced," Professor Black says.
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