Rua and the Maori Millennium

Published by Price Milburn for Victoria University Press, 1979. In fair condition with DW. Inscription to previous owner inside. Front e/p has been taped. Foxing to prelims. Musty smell. DW has fading and closed tears. It has been covered.
In the heart of the Urewera ranges in the North Island of New Zealand, there is a great clearing in the forest, and scattered over it the empty houses of a departed people. A deserted homestead, a desolate meeting-house open to the winds, a marae pock-marked by the rooting of wild pigs, a forlorn school, an abandoned mission station - these are remains of the once thriving Maori settlement of Maungapohatu. Here, at the beginning of this century, the prophet Rua Kenana led his people to found a New Jerusalem in the wilderness. In the shadow of a sacred mountain, over a thousand of Rus's followers sought to escape the European settlers and live free from the domination of an alien race.

This is the first serious, comparative study of Rua Kenana, and the millenarian movement associated with his name. Rua was a man of remarkable intelligence, capable of inspiring affection as well as awe. As Messiah, he promised the return of their land to the Maori people, yet he dressed in European riding breeches and carried a cane. In 1916, he was the central target of a police raid, that led to the longest trial in New Zealand's hisory.

Dr Webster's deep sympathy for the Maori viewpoint is always evident, yet he manages to avoid idealisation. His work goes beyond the limits of an especially illuminating case history, to make a major contribution to the anthropological and psychological study of millenarianism - its value lies both in the fascination of local history and also in the universality of the millenarian dream. Besides which, RUA AND THE MAORI MILLENNIUM is simply compelling reading.

- from the inside cover.