Te Whiti o Rongomai		 November 6
Prophet 
Te Whiti was one of the most remarkable of the Maori prophetic figures of the nineteenth century. He provided leadership to his people in establishing a model community at Parihaka and enabled them by non-violent means to protest at the unjust confiscation of their lands. Furthermore, this was 60 years before Mahatma Gandhi in India.
Te Whiti o Rongomai of the Ngati Awa tribe was born at Ngamotu near New Plymouth about 1831, though another tradition suggests a date about 1817. He went to the mission school run by Johannes Riemenschneider. This was not Te Whiti’s first introduction to the gospel, for Taranaki Maori returning from the Bay of Islands had brought news of the gospel. Consequently, when Riemenschneider announced on his arrival in 1846 that he came in peace, bringing God’s word, Te Whiti replied, “We know that word and greet you in God’s peace.” Te Whiti developed a wide-ranging and deep knowledge of the Bible and could quote large sections by heart. The Bible was his constant companion, the single most important influence on his life. 
By 1872 the warfare that had flared since 1860 had come to an end. The war had been devastating to Maori life, and further war was not a viable option. Then, to add to Maori degradation, there was the government’s confiscation of vast tracts of Maori land, which was eagerly sought after by the land-hungry European settlers. Part of the land designated for confiscation was on the western flanks of Mount Taranaki and included the village of Parihaka.
Here Te Whiti had come and, with his fellow leader Tohu Kakahi, set up a unique community. Instead of the usual fortified village, Te Whiti created an open village on the banks of the Waitotoroa. It was in a real sense a model village, for its layout was carefully planned, the economy and agriculture were efficiently managed, the education of the young was seen to, sanitation and health measures were enforced, and alcohol was forbidden.
Until 1877, the government ignored the fact that Maori had returned to live on land that had been officially confiscated. Settler pressure mounted, however, for the acquisition of these fertile lands, and the surveying of the Waimate Plains to the south of Mount Taranaki began. In 1879 the surveyors smashed Maori fences and destroyed crops. Te Whiti and his people realised that if they took no action the land would simply be taken, and the question of justice would go by default. So, in March 1879, Te Whiti’s men packed up the surveyors’ equipment for them and escorted them across the Waingongoro River to land legitimately sold earlier.
Te Whiti was an outstanding orator, and by the strength of his mana he forged his people into a cohesive and unified community. Many from other tribes joined them. From his study of the Scriptures, Te Whiti was able to offer an explanation for the suffering of the people: it was God’s work, and through their suffering they would attain grace. He reminded them that they were not the only ones to suffer, but in God alone lay salvation. God would in the end vindicate the small people of the world. It was only a small step from that theology to passive Maori resistance to pakeha force. Te Whiti told his followers:
Go. Put your hands to the plough. Look not back. If any come with guns and swords be not afraid. If they smite you, smite not in return. If they rend you, be not discouraged. Another will take up the good work. 
Te Whiti was by no means anti-pakeha. Much later in his life, when asked if it were true that he had predicted that one day all pakeha would be swept into the sea, he dismissed it angrily:
What I said and wished to convey was, that the two races should live side by side in peace, . . . the white man to live among us - not we to be subservient to his immoderate greed.
The inevitable confrontation developed, with the protesters being arrested. Their places were taken by more of Te Whiti’s supporters, till all the gaols were full. The settlers were adamant in their insatiable demand for land, and Te Whiti and his people were defiant. The Native Minister, John Bryce, was determined not to give in to what he considered a handful of Maori troublemakers. The government had no intention of backing down, and in October 1881 eager volunteers formed a group of armed constabulary and were ordered to Parihaka to arrest Te Whiti and other leaders in the Parihaka community.
When the troops reached Parihaka at 7.15 a.m. on 5 November, they found the fences pulled down to allow them in, and they were offered bread. The only thing in their way was a group of 200 children singing songs. When Bryce read the Riot Act and called on the Maori to disperse, he was met with silence. When the arresting party entered, the Maori cleared a way for them. Te Whiti and his assistant Tohu Kakahi and their wives walked with dignity into captivity. The troops dispersed any Maori who were not local and destroyed most of the crops and part of the village. Te Whiti and Tohu were charged with using seditious language, but never tried, despite frequent demands for a fair trial. They remained under arrest without trial for a year in the South Island, but in the end had to be released.
The surveying of the confiscated land had not been prevented, though a Royal Commission in 1926 found that the Maori land claims were just. Te Whiti and Tohu returned to Parihaka in 1883. They had to rebuild the community, which had fallen into disrepair. The campaign of civil disobedience as a protest against the unjust confiscations continued, with the ploughing of disputed lands. Te Whiti was imprisoned again for six months in 1886, and in 1897 ninety-two Maori were arrested for similar actions.
At a time of great difficulty for the Maori people, Te Whiti provided outstanding leadership. Both Te Whiti and Tohu died in 1907. In the 1890s there were sharp differences of opinion between the two men, but their contribution to their people was complementary rather than antagonistic. By that time they had each given over forty years of guidance to the community. Tohu died on 4 February 1907, and Te Whiti on 18 November. Te Whiti was buried at a vast tangi involving people from all over New Zealand. A marble column was erected above his grave, and on it were inscribed these words in Maori and English:

He tangata ia i mahi i nga mahi
Nunui, hei peehi i te kino
kia tu ko te rangimarie
Hei oranga mo nga iwi
Katoa i te ao ko tana tohu
I waiho ake te tona iwi ki
Te Ati-awa he Raukura
Tona tikanga
Hei kororia ki te Atua i runga
Hei maunga-ronga ki runga
Ki te whenua
Hei whakaaro pai ki te tangata
He was a man who did
great deeds in suppressing evil,
so that peace might reign
as a means of salvation
to all people on earth.
His emblem, the white feather,
which signifies
glory to God on high
peace on earth
and goodwill to all mankind,
he bequeathed to his people
Te Ati-Awa.

For Liturgical Use 
Te Whiti o Rongomai was born at Ngamotu near New Plymouth, about 1831. He was educated by missionaries and developed an intense love of the Bible. During the turbulent 1860s he sought a peaceful means of fostering Maori claims. At Parihaka he built a model community, and after the war encouraged his people to resist peacefully the unjust occupation of confiscated land. This led to conflict with the government. On 5 November 1881 armed constabulary entered Parihaka. They were met by children chanting songs. Te Whiti was arrested and imprisoned without trial for a year. He died in 1907.
Sentence
He aha ta Ihowa e rapu nei ki a koe, heoi ano ko te whakawa tika, ko te pai ki te tohu tangata, ko te whakaiti me te haere tahi i tou Atua.	Mika 6:8
What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?	Micah 6:8
Collects
E te Atua e to matou Matua i te rangi,
i arahitia ai e koe nga tohunga o onamata ki tau tama. 
Ka huri o matou whakaaro ki a te Whiti o Rongomai i tenei ra. 
Ka mau mahara matou ki ana mahi whakamiharo. 
Ano te ahuareka a nga waewae i runga i nga maunga 
o te kaikawe i te rongopai, 
e kauwhau ana i te maungarongo,
meinga te marama o tou rongopai 
kia tiaho i roto i te ao katoa 
kia aru kia koropiko ai nga tangata ki a koe 
i nga wahi katoa, 
ko Ihu Karaiti te Ariki o te rongomau. Amine.
God of peace and justice,
you called Te Whiti o Rongomai 
to lead his people 
to struggle for justice
by peaceful means;
may we defend the rights of the powerless
and build our communities
on the basis of mutual care and love;
through Jesus Christ the prince of peace.
Jesus, peacemaker, disgraced and crucified,
you were with Te Whiti
in refusing to meet force with violence;
speak to us now with gospel power.
Psalms	72	85
Readings
Isaiah 52:1-6		God’s people carried off
Galatians 5:13-23		The harvest of the Spirit
Luke 1:68-79		The song of Zechariah
Post Communion Sentence
Erangi ki te pakia tou paparinga matau e tetahi, whakaangahia atu hoki tera ki a ia. A ki te mea tetahi kia whakawakia koe, ka tangohia tou koti, tukua atu hoki tou ngeri ki a ia.	
				Matiu 5:39,40
If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone would sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well.	Matthew 5:39,40