Kingitanga (Māori King Movement)

The Kingitanga, or Māori King Movement, is a Māori initiative founded in the 1850s to unify Māori tribes under a single leadership and preserve their cultural identity. It established a Māori king to serve as a symbolic leader, promoting self-determination and political sovereignty amid increasing European settlement. The movement aimed to protect Māori land rights and uphold traditional values while engaging with New Zealand’s political structures. Today, the Kingitanga remains an important cultural and spiritual authority for many Māori, symbolizing unity, sovereignty, and the ongoing bid to maintain Māori identity within New Zealand.