HONE HEKE

Earlier this week I have been learning about Hone Heke. Here is my writing about him.





Hone Heke was probably born around 1808. He is a remembered as a prominent voice of the northern Maori chiefs, and was an advocate for, and the first Maori chief to sign, the Treaty of Waitangi. After becoming disillusioned with the British occupation of New Zealand after the signing of the Treaty, he became a fierce member of the opposition to the colonial Brits. He is the epitome of an early political leader who wasn’t afraid to embrace diplomacy when dealing with a foreign power, but conversely wasn’t averse to showing strength when the need arose. BY ASTYN H-W