File:Rua Kēnana - Supreme Court Trial (25540812733).jpg

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On 2 April 1916 a large force of heavily armed police invaded Maungapōhatu in Te Urewera to arrest the Tūhoe leader and self-proclaimed prophet, Rua Kēnana.

At the outbreak of the First World War, Rua was accused of sedition because he held pacifist beliefs and actively discouraged his followers from enlisting. There were rumours that he openly supported Germany.

Rua’s staunch anti-war rhetoric offended the government. Liquor laws were used as a way to harass him, and he was arrested for selling illicit alcohol at Maungapōhatu. Rua refused to attend court, claiming he was busy with a harvest. This was viewed as contempt and a new warrant was issued for his arrest, which led to the events of 2 April.

Two Māori, including Rua’s son Toko, were shot and killed during the arrest. Rua was taken to Auckland for trial. His Supreme Court trial was one of the longest in New Zealand history, and he was found not guilty of sedition, but guilty of ‘morally’ resisting arrest. Rua was sentenced to one year’s hard labour followed by 18 months’ imprisonment. Eight of the jury later petitioned Parliament to have the sentence reduced.

The image above is from a file relating to his trial, ordering witnesses held at Auckland Prison to appear before the Court.

Title: In the matter of The Evidence Act 1908. Associated names. John James Cassells, Rua Hepetipa [Kenana], Awa Horomona, Whatu Rua, Maka Kanuehi, Pukepuke Kanara, Tioke Hakaipai, John Youlin Birch, William Cobeldick and Parker Breckin. (R23403178)

Archives reference: BBAE 4982 A48 Box 47 / 924 www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=23403178

This record was transferred to Archives New Zealand from the Auckland High Court, and is held at our Auckland Office. For more information please email auckland.archives@dia.govt.nz

Material from Archives New Zealand

For more information about Rua Kēnana's arrest, see NZHistory: www.nzhistory.net.nz/arrest-of-rua-kenana
Date
Source Rua Kēnana : Supreme Court Trial
Author Archives New Zealand from New Zealand

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This image was originally posted to Flickr by Archives New Zealand at https://flickr.com/photos/35759981@N08/25540812733. It was reviewed on 8 September 2016 by FlickreviewR and was confirmed to be licensed under the terms of the cc-by-sa-2.0.

8 September 2016

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current20:41, 8 September 2016Thumbnail for version as of 20:41, 8 September 20162,404 × 3,519 (756 KB)Vanished Account Byeznhpyxeuztibuo (talk | contribs)Transferred from Flickr via Flickr2Commons

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