In 1835, the Moriori genocide by Maori invaders on the Chatham Islands resulted in the near annihilation of the pacifist Moriori people. This tragic event underscores the violent consequences of colonial expansion and cultural clashes in the Pacific. The Moriori's commitment to non-violence was met with brutal aggression, leading to a significant loss of life and cultural heritage that still resonates in discussions of indigenous rights and historical injustices.

The Moriori genocide by Maori invaders on the Chatham Islands in 1835 featured prominently in New Zealand literature and poetry, exploring intra-indigenous conflict and colonial disruptions. Poets such as Keri Hulme have addressed these historical traumas, weaving them into the fabric of contemporary Māori identity and cultural resilience.