Te Kooti was a Māori leader and founder of the Ringatū faith in New Zealand during the 19th century. Born in 1832, he became known for his resistance against British colonial rule and the injustices faced by the Māori people. Te Kooti led a guerrilla campaign during the New Zealand Wars, which aimed to protect Māori land and rights. In 1868, Te Kooti was captured and exiled to the Chatham Islands, but he escaped in 1870 and returned to the North Island. He established the Ringatū church, which combined Māori beliefs with Christian elements, promoting spiritual and social unity among Māori communities.