Potatau
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Potatau Te Wherowhero, circa 1790-1860, became the first Maori King.
Born in the Waikato as the son of a chief and the descendant of the captains of both the Tainui and Te Arawa waka (canoes), Potatau grew up in a period of relative peace for the Waikato iwi, but he became heavily involved in the on-going conflict with Ngati Toa under Te Rauparaha. When Ngati Toa left Kawhia and began their long migration to Taranaki, Potatau led a large force of Waikato warriors in pursuit.
Early in 1822 the Waikato forces suffered a heavy defeat and Potatau was almost killed when he refused to retreat and abandon the body of a slain chieftain. The intervention of Te Rauparaha saved him, but subsequently he had to engage a number of enemy chiefs in single combat. Eventually his own people returned and a negotiated truce ensued. Potatau returned to the Waikato in time to take command in an unsuccessful defence of his tribe at Matakitaki (1822) against Ngapuhi, armed with muskets and led by Hongi Hika on their great rampage through the North Island of 1818 to 1823. Eventually Ngapuhi withdrew and the Waikato could re-establish themselves on their tribal land. By the time Ngapuhi re-appeared in the area some ten years later the Waikato had also acquired muskets and could therefore defend themselves successfully.
Initially Potatau favoured the Pakeha arrivals in his territory: his daughter, Tiria, married a trader. From about 1830 onwards the missionaries had increasing influence in the Waikato. However Potatau refused to sign the Treaty of Waitangi when asked to do so but nonetheless supported the Colonial government. In 1844 he hosted a large inter tribal gathering at Remuera. He built a house on the site of today's Auckland Domain and it witnessed many discussions and negotiations concerning the implementation of the Treaty. He also sold some tribal land around Manukau. However in 1846 he protested vehemently about an edict which claimed land not actually occupied and cultivated by Maori as Crown property. In 1849 he signed an agreement with the governor, George Grey to provide Auckland with military protection should it become necessary.
In the early 1850s a movement to establish a Maori King developed. This aimed to unite the Maori people and to act as a counterbalance to Queen Victoria. But above all the King Movement wanted to halt the sale and alienation of Maori land by the Pakeha Government. When asked to assume the Kingship Potatau expressed initial reluctance, but he did eventually accept. His coronation took place at Ngaruawahia in 1858.
Potatau himself wished to continue to work in co-operation with the British Government but many of his followers adopted a much more independent position. Gradually the two sides polarised and grew apart, culminating some five years later in warfare (see Invasion of the Waikato).
Potatau himself died at Ngaruawahia on June 25, 1860. His son, King Tawhiao, succeeded him.