KENANA, RUA, or HEPETIPA (1869-1937) was born in Maungapohatu in the Urewera Country, and as a young man worked on sheep stations on the East Coast. Not of chiefly rank, but possessing a strong personality and a gift of oratory, he returned to the isolation of the Urewera country to present his version of Pakeha learning, and soon began to demand recognition as leader and prophet. Sir Joseph Ward, intervening in the internal tribal rivalry in 1905, supported the hereditary chief, but Rua's power and influence continued to increase. He established a farming settlement at Maungapohatu, and a trading station. As priest of his new religion, Rua wore his hair long, took seven wives - the number prescribed, as he claimed, by holy writ - and built a large temple. In 1910 he was arrested and fined for selling liquor to natives. Charged again with the same offence in 1916, he resisted arrest and in the struggle several men were killed. After a trial which lasted 47 days, Rua was sentenced to a year's imprisonment in Auckland. On his return home he continued to exercise a considerable influence over his followers, who regarded him as divine. On his death (21 Feb 1937) hundreds of Maori gathered at Matahi for the tangi, to be disillusioned when on the third day his prophecy that he would rise from the dead was not fulfilled. Rua had during his lifetime 12 wives, and more than 70 children.

The Dominion, 24 Feb (p), 5 Mar, 28 Apr 1937; Evening Post, 25 Feb 1937 (p); N.Z. Herald, 4 Apr 1916 (p); The Press, 16 Jan 1919.

Reference: Volume 1, page 245

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