Tohu Kākahi (1828–1907)

The new species of gecko was gifted the name te mokomoko a Tohu in honour of Tohu Kākahi, of the Taranaki tribe Te Āti Awa. He was a pacifist and was taken prisoner by British forces during the invasion of Parihaka in Taranaki.

Find out more about Tohu Kākahi in his entry in the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography.

Engraving: Ward, John Patrick, 1847?-1914. Ward, John P: Tohu. Nelson, 1883. Ward, John P: Wanderings with the Maori prophets Te Whiti and Tohu ... from their arrival in Christchurch in April 1882 until their return to Parihaka in March 1882. Nelson, Bond, Finney & Co., 1883.. Ref: PUBL-0113-02. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23012974