Riperata kahutia: a woman of mana
Citation
Export citationNikora, S. A. (2009). Riperata kahutia: a woman of mana (Thesis, Master of Arts (MA)). The University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10289/3944
Permanent Research Commons link: https://hdl.handle.net/10289/3944
Abstract
Riperata Kahutia is widely remembered as a leader in the history of Tūranganuiā-Kiwa, who fought to retain and repossess land during the difficult times of the1860's. During this period of rapid social change and political upheavals resultingin injustices, the exercise of rangatiratanga took many forms. Responses tochange covered a wide spectrum and there was no 'right' way of doing things,simply leaders making decisions on the basis of what they and their peoplethought at the time were best. Riperata utilised the law as a means of retainingthe land and the mana of her people. While her status as a rangatira was never indoubt, innuendo surfaced suggesting she may have received more land entitlementthan she was qualified for.The activities by Riperata may have been different from other leaders but thepurpose was the same: to preserve the people and the land. Her strategies fordoing so, based on her inherited mana and upbringing, her knowledge of local iwitraditions, her acquisition of new skills introduced by Pākehā and her innovativeapproaches to exercising her rangatiratanga, make her a worthwhile study.This thesis will support the viewpoint that Riperata Kahutia acted on behalf of herpeople and for the good of her people. It will be argued Riperata was a visionarywho embraced the changes imposed upon a society enduring the consequences ofcolonisation. A major objective is to dispel suggestions she embellished herrights.
Date
2009Type
Degree Name
Publisher
The University of Waikato
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- Masters Degree Theses [2470]