Raharuhi Rukupo

Raharuhi Rukupō ( 1800 – 29 September 1873), also known by the baptismal name Lazarus Rukupō, was a Māori rangatira and tohunga whakairo from Tūranga, New Zealand. An ariki ihorei of Ngāti Kaipoho, he was affiliated by descent with Rongowhakaata, Ngāi Tāmanuhiri and Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki. He became recognised as one of the leading Māori carvers of the nineteenth century.

Early life and leadership

Rukupō was born around 1800 in the Tūranga district, near present-day Gisborne.

He was the second child of Hinehou and Pītau Pohepohe. His elder brother, Tāmati Waaka Māngere, was an ariki of Ngāti Kaipoho and signed the Treaty of Waitangi in May 1840. Following Māngere's death, Rukupō succeeded him as a leading rangatira of Ngāti Kaipoho.

As a rangatira, Rukupō intervened in disputes to prevent armed conflict. During a confrontation concerning land at Matawhero, he and the rangatira Rawiri Hōkeke intervened between opposing parties and prevented fighting.

Carving

Rukupō was trained in the Tūranga carving tradition and became recognised as one of the leading tohunga whakairo of the nineteenth century. He is particularly associated with Te Hau ki Tūranga, a major carved meeting house constructed at Ōrākaiapu in the early 1840s. The house was created by a group of leading Tūranga carvers under Rukupō's leadership and was dedicated to his elder brother, Tāmati Waaka Māngere.

No known photograph or contemporary portrait of Rukupō survives. A carved figure in Te Hau ki Tūranga has sometimes been identified as a representation of Rukupō, although the identification is uncertain. The whare was constructed at Ōrākaiapu in the early 1840s. Rukupō led a group of approximately 18 Tūranga master carvers responsible for the house, which was later dedicated to his elder brother Tāmati Waaka Māngere.

Te Toki-a-Tāpiri – a waka taua carved in Tūranga and associated with Rukupō and other leading Tūranga carvers. Te Kotahitanga – the first carved Anglican church at Manutūkē. Rukupō was among the leading tohunga whakairo involved in its construction.

Double image direction = vertical image1 = Te Mana-o-Turanga.jpg caption2 = 1910 exterior and interior of 1910 exterior and interior of Te Mana o Turanga, which incorporates carved panels attributed to Rukupō or to carvers working under his supervision.

Rukupō was involved in negotiations concerning European settlement and land in Tūranga. In 1851, he supported a proposal to establish a town and attempted to persuade the people of his kāinga to agree. When most opposed the proposal, however, Rukupō informed colonial officials that no general agreement had been reached and that only a minority supported it.

Rukupō was associated with Pai Mārire during the conflicts of the 1860s. Contemporary accounts nevertheless described him as using his influence within Pai Mārire assemblies to suppress armed conflict in Tūranga.

His son, Te Waaka Rongotū, was killed at Pākairomiromi in 1865. His apprentice and protégé Pita Tamaturi was subsequently captured and executed following the battle of Hungahungatoroa.

Following the fighting at Waerenga-a-Hika in 1865, Te Hau ki Tūranga was removed from Tūranga by colonial authorities in 1867. Rukupō protested its removal and sought the return of the house.

Death and legacy

Rukupō died on 29 September 1873. In his final instructions to his people, he encouraged them to repair the church at Manutūkē, remain close to it, avoid debt and retain their lands.

Five years after his death, Rukupō's younger brother Pera Tāwhiti constructed Te Poho o Rukupō as a memorial to him. Rukupō's artistic influence continued through the Tūranga carving tradition, and Te Hau ki Tūranga became an important influence on later generations of Māori carvers.