#moehanga

[airandangels]

The Māori who discovered Europe

April 27 is Moehanga Day, the anniversary of the day in 1806 when Ngāpuhi warrior Moehanga became the first Māori to visit England.

[elvisomar]

Happy Moehanga Day

The 27th of April is Moehanga Day in the United Kingdom

On 27 April 1806 Great Britain was discovered by Moehanga Ngāpuhi. Of course, various indigenous, white-skinned tribes already inhabited the British Isles for thousands of years, but Moehanga was the first Māori to discover Britain. The British natives were in awe of Moehanga’s tattoos and they insisted he meet their chieftain King George III.

When Moehanga arrived on the island he saw families living in primitive, damp and unsanitary conditions and a brutal society that punished almost any act of disobedience—from theft to living with Gypsies—with death. The Britons were a warlike people, renowned and feared for their prowess at fighting other European tribes and even raiding and conquering lands and taking slaves on distant continents.

Today Britain is a thriving multi-cultural nation, producing a range of quality exports whilst preserving its rich heritage and traditions.