Parihaka
Our Relationship with Parihaka
In the turbulent 19th century, under the leadership of Tohu Kākahi and Te Whiti o Rongomai, Parihaka became a place of refuge for displaced Māori and of non-violent resistance to the confiscation of Māori land.
Caritas has worked with the communities of Parihaka to provide materials designed to help Catholic parishes, schools and the wider community learn about the history and current reality of Parihaka.
Parihaka o neherā, o nāianei: Parihaka – past and present
In 2015 Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand was asked by the Catholic Diocese of Palmerston North to help transform attitudes and promote reconciliation by acknowledging a Māori account of historic injustices.
Through an ongoing relationship with the communities of Parihaka, Dr Ruakere Hond, a Parihaka community leader provided vital support to the development of this resource.
“We hope that students and teachers throughout Aotearoa will be inspired to investigate the history of their own area after learning about Parihaka’s non-violent struggle for peace and self-governance," says Dr Hond.
"Being encouraged to learn about the Māori account of history in an area and forming relationships with local Māori can also widen their perspective.”
"Caritas is pleased to be able to provide young people and teachers with such an important educational resource," says Julianne Hickey, Director of Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand.
“Working with and responding to the needs of indigenous peoples is one of Caritas’ key strategic goals. We have learned a great deal through our developing relationship with Parihaka, and this is feeding into our partnerships with indigenous people locally and internationally in the areas of advocacy, development and education.”
Remembering Parihaka
Remembering Parihaka includes:
An introduction to the story of Parihaka
Some insights on Parihaka today
Reflections on the application of Catholic social teaching
Liturgical material
Links to school curriculum to assist with a classroom discussion or school liturgy
In 2013, Caritas responded to a growing desire by Catholic parishes and schools to honour the memory of Parihaka. In consultation with the Parihaka community, Caritas produced a 12-page booklet to help groups and individuals to pray and reflect on its story and non-violent resistance to injustice, in the light of Catholic social teaching.
A Caritas delegation presented the booklet Remembering Parihaka to the Parihaka community after consulting them over its preparation.
‘This is not a booklet just about Parihaka’s history,’ said Caritas Director Julianne Hickey, ‘but a justice and peace resource that enables us to reflect on the impact of injustice today, in communities across the country – and strive for peace in the future.’
Parihaka Rememberance Day
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is encourages communities to take the opportunity to learn about and remember the story of Parihaka on the 5 November.
“We know that many people in our communities will be remembering the invasion of Parihaka on 5 November 1881, and also learning about the non-violent way in which the community responded to that invasion,” says Caritas Director Julianne Hickey.
“We support the commemoration of this day as an example of a Māori community that led the way in non-violent resistance, and continues to represent efforts at reconciliation of historic injustice.”
“Parihaka Day is about commemorating an unjust and violent event in our country’s history, and remembering that there are always alternatives to violence,” says Mrs Hickey. “The people of Parihaka strove and continued to strive to resolve conflict through peaceful resistance and negotiation.”
Parihaka Day remembers the 19th century invasion of the peaceful settlement and the non-violent resistance undertaken by the ploughmen of Parihaka, under the leadership of Tohu Kākahi and Te Whiti o Rongomai. Parihaka today continues to live with the ongoing consequences of confiscation, and to draw on the legacy of Tohu and Te Whiti to discuss and consider how to respond to injustice.
Parihaka School Resource
Prayer for Parihaka
E Te Ariki, we remember at this time the lives of the people of Parihaka. In response to unjust laws and encroaching settlement we remember their response. Their leaders Te Whiti o Rongomai and Tohu Kakahi chose a path less travelled at the time. They chose to meet violence with peaceful resistance, unlawful arrest with calm acquiescence, and unjust legislation with determination. We remember at this time the choices made by the people of Parihaka. In the face of adversity they chose to act with dignity at a time when aggression was met with aggression. Their leaders acted to restore wellbeing among their people traumatised by land confiscations. They found, in the Bible, alternatives to violent confrontation lest their people be decimated by war. E te Atua, we pray for the people of Parihaka today as they continue to give meaning to the legacy of their tūpuna. We ask that you give them the same strength, insight and determination that their leaders possessed. Help their community to thrive. Āmene