Topia Peehi Turoa, chief of the Ngāti Patutokotoko sub-tribe of the Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi tribe of the upper Whanganui River, wearing a feather cloak and holding a hatchet. Taken by he New Zealand Government Tourist Department circa 1860 or 1880.
by ure_roa
6 Comments
Baddest bad ass
The mana in this photo is unreal
hang on, why the fuck did NZ have a tourism department in the 19th century? How? 1860 would’ve been the middle of the new zealand wars, 1880 immediately after.
He also invented the paperclip. Europeans used them for paper though.
There’s so much power and dignity in this portrait. His presence alone tells a story deeper than any history book.
Looking at Topia Peeti Turoa, you can really feel the strength and history in his gaze. Man, that feather cloak and hatchet aren’t just accessories, they’re symbols of his authority and cultural heritage. It’s photos like these that remind us of the powerful stories behind the faces from the past. Absolute legend!