# Te Kotahitanga

The Kotahitanga movement was an autonomous Māori parliament convened annually in New Zealand from 1892 until 1902. Though not recognised by the New Zealand Government, the Māori Parliament was an influential body while it lasted. By 1902 its role was largely superseded by the Māori councils established by James Carroll and Hōne Heke Ngāpua through the Māori Councils Act 1900. As a result, Kotahitanga members unanimously voted for its dissolution at the 10th Parliament at Waiōmatatini in 1902.
Te Kotahitanga was distinct from Te Kauhanganui, the Māori parliament established by the Kingitanga movement in the late 1880s, because it called for the union of all Māori tribes, whereas Te Kauhanganui was convened by and for the hapū of the Waikato-Tainui region. In 1895 the two movements considered merging, but this ultimately failed.

## Sessions
### Waipatu 1892

The first formal session of Te Kotahitanga was held in June 1892 at Waipatu in Heretaunga. It was hosted by the former Member of Parliament for the Eastern Maori electorate, Henare Tomoana. 96 representatives sat in the Whare o Raro and 44 chiefs sat in the Whare Ariki. Tomoana was elected Speaker of the House because his tenure in parliament gave him the experience necessary to guide debates and maintain order. Hoani Te Whatahoro Jury was elected chairman, the formal head of the Whare o Raro, and Hamiora Mangakahia was elected premier, a position that made him the chief spokesperson for the movement.

### Waipatu 1893

In 1893 the second session of Te Kotahitanga was also convened at Waipatu, though this session was poorly attended. Only 58 representatives sat in the Whare o Raro. At that time, Mangakahia had fallen out of favour with many of the movement's representatives and was not returned as premier. Hoani Te Whatahoro Jury was elected in his place.

### Pakirikiri 1894

The 1894 session took place at Pakirikiri, near Gisborne. The session, hosted by local chief Otene Pitau, was well attended and lasted for over a month.

### Rotorua 1895

The 1895 session of Te Kotahitanga was convened at Ohinemutu in Rotorua. Hamiora Mangakahia was re-elected for a second term as premier, and the role of speaker was given to Mohi Te Ātahīkoia of Ngāti Kahungunu. In the course of this session, Henare Tomoana accused Mangakahia of financial mismanagement of Te Kotahitanga during his first term as premier, and attempted to force his resignation. But Mangakahia was able to demonstrate in rebuttal that the mismanagement of Kotahitanga funds had actually developed during the term of his successor, Hoani Te Whatahoro Jury. The session is also notable as the setting for a potential merger of Te Kotahitanga with the Kingitanga movement. Mahuta Tāwhiao, the new King of the Waikato-Tainui tribes, was visited by representatives from the 1895 sitting of Te Kotahitanga, who invited him to sign the Kotahitanga deed of union, calling for the political union of all Māori tribes. Mahuta appointed a committee to consider the proposal, but was undermined by Waikato chief Tupu Atanatiu Taingakawa Te Waharoa, who circulated a rival deed of union calling for all Māori tribes to unite under the Kingitanga.

## Membership

The lower house, or Whare o Raro, had 96 members, elected at large from electorates defined according to tribal affiliation. The upper house, or Whare Ariki, was composed of 44 paramount chiefs elected by the members of the Whare o Raro. 127 representatives filled the 140 positions in both houses at the parliament's first sitting at Waipatu Marae in 1892, as 13 chiefs were elected to both houses.

### Whare o Raro members (1892)

| Constituency | Member | Iwi affiliation | Member's origin | Position |
| Ngāpuhi | Wikiriwhi Hemana | Ngāti Whatua | Kaipara | |
| Ngāpuhi | Muriwai Hepehi | Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa | Whangaroa | |
| Ngāpuhi | Kaipo Hotereni | Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa | Waihou ki te Kauru | |
| Ngāpuhi | Miti Kakau | Te Rarawa | Hokianga | |
| Ngāpuhi | Wi Katene | Ngāpuhi | Ōhaeawai, Tautoro | |
| Ngāpuhi | Maihi Kawiti | Ngāpuhi | Waiomio, Taumarere | |
| Ngāpuhi | Pomare Kingi | Ngāpuhi | Whatitiri | |
| Ngāpuhi | Karena Kiwa | Ngāpuhi | Whangaroa | |
| Ngāpuhi | Taniora Moto | Te Rarawa | Mangamuka | |
| Ngāpuhi | Eramiha Paikea | Ngāti Whatua | Kaipara | |
| Ngāpuhi | Ngakuru Pana | Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa | Waimamaku | |
| Ngāpuhi | Kereama Papaka | Ngāpuhi | Waikara | |
| Ngāpuhi | Peri Paraihe | Te Rarawa | Hokianga | |
| Ngāpuhi | Hemi Parata | Ngāti Whatua | Te Awaroa, Kaipara | |
| Ngāpuhi | Netana Patuawa | Ngāti Whatua | Opanaki, Maunganui | |
| Ngāpuhi | Te Kaka Porowini | Ngāpuhi | Te Karetu, Pewhairangi | |
| Ngāpuhi | Timoti Puhipi | Te Rarawa | Ahipara, Kaitara, Te Awanui | |
| Ngāpuhi | Pere Riwhi | Ngāpuhi | Whirinaki | |
| Ngāpuhi | Riwi Taikawa | Ngāpuhi | Whangārei, Kaihou | |
| Ngāpuhi | Pene Taui | Ngāpuhi | Oromahoe, Waimate | |
| Ngāpuhi | Heremia Te Wake | Te Rarawa | Hokianga | |
| Ngāpuhi | Re Te Tai Maunga | Te Rarawa | Hokianga | |
| Ngāpuhi | Wiki Te Pirihi | Ngāpuhi | Whangārei, Kaihou | |
| Ngāpuhi | Mitai Titore | Ngāpuhi | Mangakāhia, Ahuahu | |
| Ngāpuhi | Hemi Tupe | Ngāpuhi | Whangaroa | |
| Ngāpuhi | Raniera Wharerau | Ngāpuhi | Waima | |
| Ngāpuhi | Te Paki Wihongi | Ngāpuhi | Kaikohe | |
| Ngāpuhi | Mohi Wikitahi | Ngāpuhi | Waima | |
| Te Tai Hauāuru | Hoani Amorangi | Ngāti Raukawa, Muaupoko | | |
| Te Tai Hauāuru | Reha Aperahama | Ngāti Maru | Te Aroha | |
| Te Tai Hauāuru | Hoani Wiremu Hipango | Ngāti Hau | Whanganui | |
| Te Tai Hauāuru | Hamiora Mangakahia | Ngāti Whanaua, Ngāti Pare | Whitianga | Premier |
| Te Tai Hauāuru | Wiremu Ngapaki | Ngāti Ruanui | Hāwera, Patea | |
| Te Tai Hauāuru | Ngarangikatitia-Tutae | Ngāti Ruanui | | |
| Te Tai Hauāuru | Manahi Paewai | Rangitane | Manawatu | |
| Te Tai Hauāuru | Te Aohau Pungarehu | Ngāti Raukawa | Waikato | |
| Te Tai Hauāuru | Ropiha Rangihaukori | | Ōpunake | |
| Te Tai Hauāuru | Hamapiri Te Arahori | Ngāti Maniapoto | Ōtorohanga, Te Kūiti | |
| Te Tai Hauāuru | Wi Te Kākākura | Ngāti Awa | Waitotara, Mokau | |
| Te Tai Hauāuru | Wiari Te Kuri | Ngāti Maniapoto | Ōtorohanga, Te Kūiti | |
| Te Tai Hauāuru | Te Manaotawhaki | Ngāti Apa | Manawatu | |
| Te Tai Hauāuru | Rore Te Rangiheuea | Rangitane | Warupere | |
| Te Tai Hauāuru | Te Keepa Te Rangihiwinui | Ngāti Awa | Hāwera, Taranaki | |
| Te Tai Hauāuru | E.H. Te Taitea | Ngāti Awa | Te Whanganui-a-Tara | |
| Te Tai Hauāuru | E.H. Te Taitea | Ngāti Toa | Porirua, Waikanae | |
| Te Tai Hauāuru | Kipa Te Whatanui | Ngāti Raukawa, Muaupoko | Otaki | |
| Te Tai Hauāuru | Hamiora Tupaea | Ngai Te Rangi | Tauranga | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Kipa Anaru | Ngāti Kahungunu | Mohaka | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Te Makiri Hona | Te Urewera Katoa | Te Waimana | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Hoani Kehua | Ngāti Kahungunu | Wairoa | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Hoani Kerei | Te Whanau-a-Apanui | Whangaparaoa | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Akuhata Kiharoa | Te Arawa | Wairakei, Rotorua | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Wiremu Kupa | Ngāti Kahungunu | Mohaka | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Nepia Mahuika | Ngāti Porou | Waiapu | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Hori Mania | Ngāti Kahungunu | Wairoa | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Tuta Nihoniho | Ngāti Porou | Waiapu | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Wi Pakai | Ngāti Hineuru | | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Eruini Paranihi | Ngāti Tuwharetoa | Taupō-nui-a-tia | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Wiremu Potae | Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti | Tolaga Bay | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Timi Rimene | Te Arawa, Ngāti Pikiao | Maketu | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | H. Ropiha | Ngāti Kahungunu | Ahuriri, Heretaunga | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Hoani Ruru | Ngāti Kahungunu | Gisborne ki Paritu | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | H. M. Tamahau | Ngāti Kahungunu | Wairarapa | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Karaitiana Te Amaru | Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti | Tolaga Bay | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Mohi Te Atahikoia | Ngāti Kahungunu | Wairarapa | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | H. Te Aweawe | Ngāti Kahungunu | Ahuriri, Heretaunga | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Apiata Te Hame | Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti | Tolaga Bay | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Hami Te Heru | Ngāti Kahungunu | Te Paritu ki te Kaha-a-Tureia | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Tureiti Te Heuheu Tukino V | Ngāti Tuwharetoa | Taupō-nui-a-tia | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Wi Te Houkamau | Ngāti Porou | Whangaparaoa | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Anaru Te Kakahi | Ngāti Porou | Waiapu | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Aperahama Te Kume | Ngāti Tuwharetoa | Taupō-nui-a-tia | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Maraku Te Rangihirawea | Ngāti Tuwharetoa | Taupō-nui-a-tia | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | H. Te Rango | Ngāti Kahungunu | Ahuriri, Heretaunga | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Hoani Te Rohurohu | Ngāti Kahungunu | Gisborne ki Paritu | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Nikora Te Wakaunua | Manawa | Tarawera, Rangitaiki | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Hoani Te Whatahoro Jury | Ngāti Kahungunu | Ahuriri, Heretaunga | Chairman |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Rewi Toheriri | Ngāti Kahungunu | Te Paritu ki te Kaha-a-Tureia | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Henare Tomoana | Ngāti Kahungunu | Ahuriri, Heretaunga | Speaker of the House |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Hoani Paraone Tunuiarangi | Ngāti Kahungunu | Wairarapa | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Hapimana Tunupaura | Ngāti Kahungunu | Wairoa | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Raniera Turoa | Ngāti Kahungunu | Gisborne ki Paritu | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Hemi Waeka | Ngāti Kahungunu | Gisborne ki Paritu | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Tupara | Te Arawa | Wairakei, Rotorua | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Toha | Ngāti Kahungunu | Wairoa | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Rahurahu | Ngāti Kahungunu | Wairoa | |
| Te Tai Rawhiti | Netane | Te Urewera Katoa | Ruatoki | |
| Te Waipounamu | Raniera Erihana | Ngāi Tahu | Waikouaiti | |
| Te Waipounamu | Taituha Hape | Ngāi Tahu | Kaiapoi | |
| Te Waipounamu | Hoani Maaka | Ngāi Tahu | Kaiapoi | |
| Te Waipounamu | Wiwi Tairoa | Ngāi Tahu | Arahura, Hauauru | |
| Te Waipounamu | Timoti Te Whiu | Ngāi Tahu | Wairewa | |
| Te Waipounamu | Hone Taare Tikao | Ngāi Tahu | Wairewa | |
| Te Waipounamu | Pita Tipa | Ngāi Tahu | Moerangi | |
| Te Waipounamu | Paratenei Tunuiarangi | Ngāi Tahu | Kaiapoi | |
| Te Waipounamu | Taniora Rau | Rangitane, Ngāti Toa | Arapawa | |

### Whare Ariki Members (1892)

| Member | Iwi affiliation |
| Te Keepa Te Rangihiwinui | Ngāti Awa |
| Takarangi Mete Kingi | Ngāti Awa |
| Ropata Te Ao | Ngāti Raukawa |
| Kipa Te Whatanui | Ngāti Raukawa |
| Himona Papaka | Ngāti Tuwharetoa |
| Paora Ngawaha | Ngāti Tuwharetoa |
| Hoani Nahe | Ngāti Maru |
| Pita Tipa | Ngāi Tahu |
| Taiuru | Ngāti Taurawhiti |
| Kingi Te Herekiekie | Ngāti Tuwharetoa |
| Tuakau | Ngāti Tuwharetoa |
| Raihania Takapa | Ngāti Awa |
| Akapita Te We | Ngāi Tūhoe |
| Wi Katene | Ngāpuhi |
| Paratene Tunuiarangi | Ngāi Tahu |
| Hemi Tupe | Ngāpuhi |
| Pomare Kingi | Ngāpuhi |
| Maihi Kawiti | Ngāpuhi |
| Eramiha Paikea | Ngāti Whatua |
| Mitikakau | Te Rarawa |
| Re Te Tai Maunga | Te Rarawa |
| Akuhata Kiharoa | Te Arawa |
| Timoti Puhipi | Te Rarawa |
| Wi Te Houkamau | Ngāti Porou |
| Wiremu Potae | Ngāti Porou |
| Nepia Mahuika | Ngāti Porou |
| Ropata Wahawaha | Ngāti Porou |
| Wi Pere | Ngāti Kahungunu |
| Henare Matua | Ngāti Kahungunu |
| Kerei Te Ota | Ngāti Kahungunu |
| Hami Te Hau | Ngāti Kahungunu |
| Hirini Te Kani | Ngāti Kahungunu |
| Puhara Hawaikirangi | Ngāti Kahungunu |
| Teira Tiakitai | Ngāti Kahungunu |
| Ekengarangi Hapuku | Ngāti Kahungunu |
| Hapuku Te Nahu | Ngāti Kahungunu |
| Paora Ropiha | Ngāti Kahungunu |
| Peni Te Uamairangi | Ngāti Kahungunu |
| Wiremu M. Porotene | Ngāti Kahungunu |
| Wiki Moa Ngamanako | Ngāti Hineuru |
| Ngawaka te Wharehina | Ngāti Hine |
| Piripi Te Maari | Ngāti Kahungunu |
| Tamati M. Te Apatu | Ngāti Kahungunu |
| Hori H. Te Huki | Ngāti Kahungunu |