Te Kooti: 9th July 1868 - Stop Bowing Down
Stop Bowing Down!
On the 4th of July, 1868, as prophesised by Te Kooti, on a cloudy day, a rainbow appeared and thunder crashed as the Rifleman and the Florence schooners arrived at Wharekauri. With these signs the Captives initiated their plans to capture the guards and seize the Rifleman. On the instruction of Te Kooti no one was to be killed during the escape. Swords, bayonets, guns and money were taken. Settlers’ houses were also plundered. 163 men, 64 women and 71 children in total boarded the Rifleman. Te Kooti told the sailors of the Rifleman that they would live if they sailed back to Aotearoa. The crew thought they could deceive Te Kooti by setting a course for Wellington, but because of his knowledge of sailing, Te Kooti knew what was happening. He told them to go straight to Whareongaonga or they too would be thrown into the sea. They quickly corrected course.
On the afternoon of the 9th July the Rifleman arrived at Whareongaonga. The Captives or Whakarau as they were known arrived safely. As they arrived they prayed to give thanks for their safe arrival. The prophecy of Te Kooti to return those exiled back to Aotearoa had come true!
Once all of the goods had been taken ashore, Te Kooti gave one of his most important prophesies: “Our death will arise from the following: The Sword, Captivity, Epidemic or Famine”. Then Te Kooti said the following: “Stop bowing down, rather, raise the hand, let the hand reach up in praise of our Creator”. Then he prayed.
Based on the book Te Whakarere i Wharekauri. Written by Peter Moeau. Illustrations Kaaterina Kerekere.
