King Tawhiao was the second Māori king of the Kīngitanga movement in New Zealand, reigning from 1860 until his death in 1894. He was born in 1825 and was a prominent leader during a time of conflict between Māori tribes and European settlers. Tawhiao sought to unify Māori people and protect their land and rights. During his reign, Tawhiao advocated for peace and negotiation rather than warfare. He traveled to England in 1884 to seek recognition for Māori sovereignty, but his efforts were largely unsuccessful. Despite this, he remains a significant figure in Māori history and culture.