Te papakainga o Parihaka

Te Whiti and Tohu promoted cleanliness and hard work at Parihaka. The land was farmed cooperatively and the food shared among the people. There was a mill to make flour and a bakery to make bread. Alcohol was banned. Maori tikanga and kaupapa were followed and promoted. European schooling was ignored and children were taught in a traditional Maori way.

 At one stage up to 2000 people lived at Parihaka. The population was made up of people from several Taranaki tribes-  iwi and hapu groups. It also attracted people from other iwi who had lost their land or who were escaping from conflict. 1600 people not from the area were kicked off the land after Parihaka was invaded by troops, Te Whiti and Tohu arrested and the village destroyed.