By Jeffrey Sissons. Published by Bridget Williams Books, 2023. (NZD 50). Reviewed by Makareta Tawaroa

The Forgotten Prophet is set against a Christian Pākehā settler history in Taranaki during the late 1850s—1880s, a tumultuous time in the history of our country and where we see colonisation at its worst.

I am not surprised that Tamati Te Ito Ngāmoke, a prophet of Taranaki known as Ngarara, the reptile eater, and founder of the Kaingārara movement, is not well-known. He destroyed so much good in Māori culture within Taranaki. He burned treasures, carvings and other tapu objects associated with atua or the ancestral spirits on huge bonfires in cleansing ceremonies. And he cleared lands that he thought had dangerous influences.

One of the destructive effects of colonisation is to cause Māori to lose cultural reference points and so begin the breakdown of traditional Māori ways of life, beliefs, social structures and systems of discipline and justice.

Tamati Te Ito destroyed many objects we would consider important taonga. It is understandable that he is forgotten, save by his own people. Perhaps some stories need to be kept hidden.

That being said, those interested in Taranaki colonial history will find The Forgotten Prophet an illuminating read.

Tui Motu Magazine. Issue 288 December 2023: 27