Pai Marire

Pai Marire (Maori, “goodness and peace”)
A Maori political and religious movement. In 1862 Horopapera Te Ua of south Taranaki began teaching his people to worship the new Pai Marire god whom he saw as the Old Testament Jehovah. His followers danced around niu (decorated poles) seeking the gift of prophecy and powers to heal. Renewed war from 1865 saw the movement take a violent turn, becoming known as the Hau-hau. The ritual began to involve the exhibition of heads of White soldiers and missionaries and cannibalism was revived. The movement affected much of the North Island but gradually subsided after 1872 .