Remembering the invasion of Parihaka

The 5th of November recalls memories of impressive public firework displays and for our operational people, it’s a busy time responding to fireworks-related fires and educating our communities about using them safely.

What we don’t think about on this date, is an event in our history that involved such an act of peaceful resistance to violence that it inspired the likes of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King.  

The 5th of November is a time to learn about Parihaka.

On this date 1881, roughly 1600-armed constabulary invaded the western Taranaki settlement of Parihaka, which had come to symbolise peaceful resistance to the confiscation of Māori land. There was no resistance. Instead of being met with violence, the soldiers were greeted by singing children and women offering them fresh loaves of bread.

Their village was ruined with houses set alight, livestock slaughtered, and crops destroyed while the community sat peacefully on the marae 

Following the invasion of Parihaka, their pacifist leaders, Tohu Kākahi and Te Whiti o Rongomai were arrested and imprisoned without trial for 16 months. 1600 of Parihaka’s people were forced out of the settlement with many of the men sent to Dunedin to do forced labour.  

Today marks the 140th anniversary of the invasion and yet so many still are unaware of the event. New Plymouth Fire Station Senior Firefighter, Dan Takarangi (Ko Tararanaki tōku Iwi, Ko Ngā Mahanga tōku Hapū, Ko Puniho tōku Pa) commented on the importance of learning about the histories of the communities you serve.

“In order to build trust and understand each other better, we need to acknowledge the past. By doing this you’re also acknowledging the people of Taranaki. It takes more than one person too, it’s gonna take all of us to mend the disconnect of knowledge and learning about Taranaki and in particular, Parihaka is a great starting point”. 

 We encourage everyone to take a little time today to learn more about the events of Parihaka and below are some great rauemi (resources) to get you started.

Mā te ako ka mārama, mā te mārama ka mātau, mā te mātau ka ora.

Through learning comes understanding, through understanding comes knowledge and wisdom, through knowledge and wisdom comes life and well-being. 

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is committed to working with Māori as tangata whenua. To uphold this commitment we must improve our knowledge and understanding of Māori culture and our nation's history. By doing this we will be able to build relationships to enable us to engage with iwi and Māori and provide a more culturally responsive service that ensures better outcomes for whānau Māori affected by fire and adverse events. 

(external link)	Video - 2m.31s Tātarakihi - The Children of Parihaka NZ on Screen	Access rauemi here(external link)
(external link)	Video - 6m.29s Parihaka Internal presentation for "Wall Walk" NZ history workshop	Access rauemi here(external link)
	Website - 391 words Invasion of pacifist settlement at Parihaka Ngā kōrero a ipurangi o Aotearoa | NZ History	Access rauemi here(external link)
	Website - 781 words Remembering Parihaka Te Puna | National Library	Access rauemi here(external link)