Te Umutaoroa, Patuheuheu and Ngāti Haka: Towards a Prophetic Model for Unity and Transformation

Abstract

This article explores the emergence of a prophecy called Te Umutaoroa (earth oven of long cooking), given to Patuheuheu and Ngāti Haka by Te Kooti Arikirangi - a nineteenth century Māori leader whom the government wanted to eliminate. This was a discourse uttered by Te Kooti in 1886 and promised the restoration of all that was taken away from Patuheuheu and Ngāti Haka in the mid 1880s and beyond. This article asserts that Te Kooti was both a prophet and transformational leader. This work is the beginning of a framework for hapū development based on the eight parts or promises contained within Te Kooti’s Te Umutaoroa prophecy. The purpose of this work is to scope out the ‘bones’ of a framework which aims for complete unity between Patuheuheu and Ngāti Haka, and through the united efforts of both hapū, development and positive transformation in the various contexts of the Waiohau community.

Towards an understanding of Io through Atuatanga

“…When Māori were introduced to the Bible, we made connections between ourselves and the stories and traditions of the ancient Israelites (Rangiwai, 2015, 2019a). Our Māori prophets, who resisted colonisation and missionary Christianity by creating syncretistic religious movements, interpreted their situation through the lens of the Bible; Māori used the past—in this context, the biblical past—to make sense of their present and future (Rangiwai, 2011a, 2011b, 2012, 2015, 2017a, 2017b, 2017c, 2018e, 2018k, 2018l, 2018m, 2019a, 2019b, 2021f, 2021g).…”

Taurua’s whare

“…For more about the meaning of the name Te Umutaoroa seeRangiwai (2011aRangiwai ( , 2011bRangiwai ( , 2012Rangiwai ( , 2015Rangiwai ( , 2017aRangiwai ( , 2017bRangiwai ( , 2017cRangiwai ( , 2018aRangiwai ( , 2018bRangiwai ( , 2018cRangiwai ( , 2018dRangiwai ( , 2018e, 2018f, 2019 …”