Rua's Influence During World War One
Rua Kenana had a very strong influence during World War One, this was conflicted with the European views and ideas and Rua's true visions were warped into ideas of fear and mistrust. The future persecution of Rua Kenana was primarily surrounded by the idea that Rua was in favour of a German victory in World War One. Rumour had it that Rua's followers were being armed in order to take over the New Zealand Government and become the ultimate ruler, alongside Germany. This is evident in the Rotorua Chronicle's article where it it said that "Rua claimed to be the Maori 'kaiser' and that he promised his followers a great time when this country will be at the hands of the Germans, which is soon to be accomplished" . This frightened much of New Zealand society and this rumour continued to be a result of the NZ government's fired up attitude towards the prosecution and destruction of Rua Kenana. From later analysis of Rua Kenana's teachings it is clear that Rua had a strong influence during World War One but it was one of encouraging peace rather than war and the unnecessary loss of life. It is true that Rua did use the European war as a means to end Maori oppression. Rua attempted to use his teachings and influence in order to "drive the British away and restore to the Maori's all the lands". According to his followers, Rua opposed both registration and the recruiting to fight in th First World War. Many Maori were discouraged from conscription due to Rua's teaching that the times of War were in the past and belonged to the time of Te Turuki, the 'man killer'. Te Turuki was a prophet who stated that "his son would come and there would be no more war". Rua took from this vision the idea that he was Te Turuki's son and therefore it was his job to live through this vision and oppose further fighting. Rua had seen the destruction and suffering of which war had torn through New Zealand during the Maori Land Wars. He maintained that "War won't reach New Zealand, Its a holy land". This quote was recycled by Rua following the words of Te Kooti, who Rua idolised and believed he was a descendent of. Te Kooti prophesied that "my son who is coming is the man of peace". Rua strongly believed that it was his role to continue Te Kooti's legacy as 'his son' and discourage war amongst his people.
"Leave war to the white man" was a another key idea which was spread amongst Maori through Rua's teaching and strong influence. Maori believed they had their own king and had to interest in representing a people who had taken their rightful land in exchange for nothing. Rua's followers had been stripped of their land and their pride, therefore they agreed with and followed his ideas and teachings. Rua's people the Iharaira based their pacifism on the Bible, and called themselves the people of lasting peace. All Maori wanted to do was to live on their land and to move forward from the long history of struggle between themselves and the Europeans. In ideal circumstances, Rua would have hoped to banish all Pakeha from New Zealand and reclaim New Zealand as once again Maori land. However, this wasn't to be so therefore Rua tried to encourage peace and pacifism as a way of preventing anymore Maori loss of life. According to the local constable in Whakatane, "it was practically impossible to get Maori to enlist in the War under the influence of Rua Kenana". This reinforces the strong impact that Rua had on his beloved people. Maori saw Rua as a God-like, fatherly figure who represented and knew what was best for them. Like other Maori leaders, Rua did not over react when some of his followers did conscript however, this was hardly a problem as majority of Maori had committed to Rua and wanted to make their Maori ancestors proud. Obviously they felt a connection to Rua as he was Maori and had suffered, in comparison to the Europeans who they felt they had nothing in common with and did not accurately represent them. Despite, a direct appeal by Maui Pomare, a politician and a highly influencial Maori figure, Maori anti conscription remained strong and united under Rua's guidence. Rua's influence was so powerful that it spread like Chinese whispers into rumours of fear and completely warped ideas. The New Zealand government began to hear of Rua's strong influence and began to spread ideas of Rua being a traitor and German sympathiser, However, this influenced outweighed any intervention by the New Zealand government and Maori continued to withstand any rumour or abuse and fight for their beliefs.