📖 Reading Passage: Parihaka

In 1881, Parihaka was a thriving Māori settlement in Taranaki. Led by Te Whiti-o-Rongomai and Tohu Kākahi, the people of Parihaka practised peaceful resistance against the government's land confiscation. They refused to fight with weapons, instead using passive resistance like ploughing confiscated land and rebuilding fences that had been torn down.

The government saw this peaceful protest as a threat. On 5 November 1881, 1,600 armed constabulary and volunteers invaded the settlement. They arrested Te Whiti and Tohu without trial and destroyed much of the village. The residents were forced to leave their homes, and many were imprisoned or sent away.

Despite this injustice, the people of Parihaka never gave up their belief in peaceful solutions. Their courage and commitment to non-violence has inspired people around the world and remains an important part of New Zealand's history.

🤔 Comprehension Questions

1. What year was Parihaka invaded by government forces?

1880

1881

1882

1885

2. Who were the two main leaders of Parihaka mentioned in the passage?

3. What methods did the people of Parihaka use to resist the government? (Choose all that apply)

Fighting with weapons

Ploughing confiscated land

Rebuilding fences

Peaceful protests

4. How many armed forces invaded Parihaka?

1,400

1,500

1,600

1,700

🧠 Inference Questions

5. Why do you think the government saw peaceful resistance as a threat? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

6. What can we infer about the character of Te Whiti and Tohu from their actions described in the passage?

7. The passage states that Parihaka's approach "has inspired people around the world." What does this suggest about the impact of their peaceful resistance?

8. Based on the passage, what do you think the phrase "never gave up their belief in peaceful solutions" tells us about the values of the Parihaka people?