Opinion
Rua Kenana set up a peaceful community at Maungapohatu. Police raided and arrested Rua Kenana and others for what they saw as treason. This came out from the early 1900s Tohunga Suppression Act.
History tells us that when the army came to New Zealand, the people followed the peacemakers. The Māori did not want war.
So let us remember what happened on the 2nd of April 1916, and talk about the peaceful decisions Māori could make.
We need this even today — peacemakers — so that we may all live together in peace and harmony.
Pauline E Tangiora
