Parihaka Attractions

3km higher up (starting from Pungarehu) is the village of Parihaka, established by the Maori leaders Te Whiti and Tohu. In 1866 the villagers began a campaign of passive resistance and civil disobedience against the government; in 1881 the two leaders were arrested and kept in prison, without trial, for almost 2 years, and their village was destroyed. The conflict between the Maoris and the whites was not settled until 1926, when the government agreed to pay compensation. The village is now a center of the Maori revival. Here too is Te Whiti's grave. Visitors to the village should respect the feelings of the Maoris.