"In 1848, eight million hectares of land in Te Waipounamu – the South Island – was purportedly sold for just £2000. Hipa Te Maiharoa, a charismatic prophet, in the 1870s led his people in the fight against the injustice of this land deal by occupying land they believed had not been sold. This ongoing battle against the Crown was waged with words - but eventually let to an armed confrontation in 1879. Based on interviews with kaumatua and extensive research, renowned M?ori historian Buddy Mikaere tells the moving story of Te Maiharoa."--Publisher.