March 25, 2022
New book explores Te Kooti legacy
The co-author of a new book on Te Kooti Arikirangi says it’s important to remember him as a visionary and prophet and not just a guerilla leader.
Te Wānanga o Awanuiārangi Professor Taiarahia Black says Te Kooti: Ngā Reo o Te Motu draws attention to his writings.
In them he foresaw the imposition of absolute colonial sovereignty, describing it as a corrupt and immoral application of the letter of the law.
“When you look at that statement and you think about the negative statements (about Te Kooti) we all have been coming to terms with, and yet when you go into the iwi to Tūranganui ā Kiwa, Te Whanau ā Apanui, Tūhoe, Te Ūpokorehe, some parts of Ngāti Kahungunu, Te Kooti is celebrated,” he says.
The book draws on a 2018 symposium held at Te Papa Tongarewa, and it will be launched with other Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi publications on June 24.