Parihaka refers to a historic Māori village in western Taranaki, New Zealand, founded in the mid-1860s by Te Whiti o Rongomai and Tohu Kākahi. It became a symbol of peaceful resistance to land confiscations during a period of heightened colonial pressure in the 1860s–1880s, culminating in a militarized invasion on 5 November 1881. Key events and context

• Establishment and philosophy: Parihaka grew as a center for nonviolent resistance and Indigenous sovereignty under Te Whiti and Tohu. Its approach emphasized peaceful protest, passive resistance, and community cohesion as a means to oppose land confiscations and military occupation.

• Tactics of nonviolent protest: In the run-up to the invasion, Parihaka residents organized ploughing demonstrations and other nonviolent actions across Taranaki to assert ownership and oppose confiscations, while enforcing a disciplined, nonviolent response to provocation.

• The invasion (Te Rā o te Pāhua / Day of Plunder): On 5 November 1881, more than 1,500 armed constabulary and volunteers surrounded Parihaka, arrested Te Whiti and Tohu without trial, and removed or destroyed property and crops. There was no large-scale firefight; instead, the village was overtaken and leaders were imprisoned. The event is remembered as a stark example of colonial force against peaceful resistance.

• Aftermath for leaders and followers: Te Whiti and Tohu were detained for extended periods, and hundreds of followers were displaced or imprisoned. The government later initiated inquiries and, in some cases, imposed reserves or other measures on the Parihaka people, though many grievances remained unresolved.

• Long-term significance: Parihaka became a powerful symbol in New Zealand history and in Māori memory as an emblem of peaceful resistance and the ongoing struggle for land rights and self-determination. It continues to be studied in historical, legal, and cultural contexts.

What happened, in brief

• The invasion of Parihaka on 5 November 1881 involved a large military presence that arrested the village's two main leaders and expelled or detained many supporters, with substantial destruction of crops and buildings. Despite the overwhelming force, there was no major battle; the episode is often cited as an example of coercive politics against a peaceful movement.

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