KIINGI POOTATAU TE WHEROWHERO

Kotahi te kohao o te ngira e kuhuna ai te miro ma, te miro pango, te miro whero.

There is but one eye of the needle through which the white, the black, and the red threads must pass. - Kiingi Pootatau Te Wherowhero

Pootatau Te Wherowhero was born in Waikato. He descended from both the Tainui and Te Arawa waka. He was taught traditional lore by his father and also trained as a warrior.

Pootatau signed the Declaration of Independence, He Whakaputanga, in 1839 however, he refused to sign the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. He was confirmed as the first Māori King at Ngaaruawaahia in 1858 by Wiremu Tamihana Tarapiipipi Te Waharoa.