Twhiao

Tāwhiao, also spelled Tawhiao, was the second Māori King and the leader of the Kingitanga movement in the Waikato region. He reigned from 1860 until his death in 1894, succeeding his father, Potatau Te Wherowhero, the first Māori King. The Kingitanga sought to unite Māori under a single sovereign to defend land and autonomy and to provide a political alternative within New Zealand.

Born in the Waikato area in the early 1830s, Tāwhiao inherited a movement already charged with significance as Māori communities faced increasing pressure from colonial authorities and land sales. His reign occurred during the New Zealand Wars, including the Waikato War of 1863–1864, after which large tracts of land were confiscated. Tāwhiao led the Kingitanga through a period of upheaval, emphasizing resilience, diplomacy, and the maintenance of Māori political identity.

Following the wars, Tāwhiao governed from the Kingitanga center at Ngāruawāhia and worked to sustain unity among iwi while protecting land claims and cultural practices. The movement continued to function as a political and cultural platform, coordinating alliances and advocating for Māori rights within the evolving colonial framework.

Tāwhiao died in 1894 and was succeeded by his son Korokī Mahuta as the third Māori King. His leadership helped establish the Kingitanga as a lasting symbol of Māori unity and sovereignty, shaping the political landscape for Māori communities into the 20th century.