1881 Parihaka occupied by force

After two years of tension and Māori non-violent resistance to land alienation in southern Taranaki, the Government occupied the town of Parihaka by force. From 1879, the prophet Te Whiti o Rongomai had encouraged his followers to uproot survey pegs and plough up roads and fences erected on land they still considered to be theirs, thus asserting that they did not recognise the Taranaki confiscation. These "ploughmen" were arrested and detained without trial. As roadmaking advanced up the Waimate plain, often across Māori settlements and cultivations, Māori erected fences across the routes, and more were arrested. Still Te Whiti resisted settlement, so the government sent a large armed force into Parihaka on 5-8 November 1881, commanded by Native Minister John Bryce. Although there was no resistance at all, he read the Riot Act, imprisoned Te Whiti and fellow prophet Tohu and dispersed his followers. At Te Whiti's trial for sedition, even officials had to admit that the 10125 hectares reserved for Māori had never been properly set aside for them to occupy and plant. Te Whiti and Tohu were exiled to the South Island to serve their prison sentences. Parihaka has been a symbol of Māori resistance ever since.