Tohunga Suppression Act

The Tohunga Suppression Act was a piece of New Zealand legislation enacted in 1907. This act aimed to suppress the traditional roles and practices of Māori tohunga, who were spiritual leaders, healers, and experts in various crafts and knowledge systems. The act restricted the ability of tohunga to practice their traditional healing and other specialized skills, effectively undermining Māori cultural and spiritual authority. This legislation was part of a broader colonial policy that sought to assimilate Māori into European society and diminish indigenous cultural practices. The suppression of tohunga contributed to the erosion of traditional Māori knowledge and social structures.12