In 1848, eight million hectares of land in Te Waipounamu – the South Island – was purportedly sold for just £2000.
Hipa Te Maiharoa, a charismatic prophet, in the 1870s led his people in the fight against the injustice of this land deal by occupying land they believed had not been sold. He led a heke of his people from Arowhenua on the coast to the upper Waitaki – the promised land. This ongoing battle against the Crown was waged with words – but eventually lead to an armed confrontation in 1879.
Based on interviews with kaumatua and extensive research, renowned Māori historian Buddy Mikaere tells the moving story of Te Maiharoa.
Revised and updated edition with a new cover, this title was first published in 1988.
