The Parihaka men known as the "ploughmen" were transported south from Taranaki to Dunedin, and held as political prisoners at the Dunedin Gaol without trial during the years 1879-1881. They were followers of Te Whiti-o-Rongomai and his uncle Tohu Kakahi of Parihaka, who preached passive resistance as a counter to the efforts of the colonial troops to dislodge them from their Taranaki lands.

During their imprisonment in Dunedin the Parihaka "ploughmen" made a huge contribution to the city building roads particularly notable being the rock walls at various locations on the edge of the Otago Harbour, they also created a cemetery at Port Chalmers, records are incomplete as to other works undertaken by the "ploughmen" from Parihaka, but clearly complementing the significant works undertaken by the Taranaki Prisoners held in Dunedin during the years 1869-1872 following the "Colonial Land Wars".

Poor sanitation, the harsh southern climate, prison food and separation from their lands and families all contributed to a number of deaths among the political prisoners while in the south. Three are buried in the Northern Cemetery in paupers' graves. Their burial plots are in the area of Block 56, but are difficult to locate because the cemetery was redesigned after the burials took place.

In March of the year 2000 a large contingent of Taranaki Maori led by kaumatua Tom Ngatai unveiled a memorial in honour of their ancestors who are buried in the Northern Cemetery.

"He kawai rangatira i puta mai i a maunga Turanaki

He Kakano i ruia mai i Ragiatea

Ka Hinga atu ki te mura o te ahi, i riro atu te iwi hereherei

kawea mai ke te hauaitu o te Wai Pounamu, he taurekareka o te Pakeha

wehea i te ukaipo.

Kia kuru pereki.

Enei hipi hiroki.

i hingahinga atu, i hungahinga mai, i ngaro whakaterunga, i ngaro whakateraro ki te po

Kua huna taurekareka, te hoki atu ai.

Watea kau anate mata o te whenua, takahia e ratou nona nga ture

Tera te raukura tikapa i titia hai tohu whakateitei i te whenua, te warewaretia"

They grew under the protective mantle of the mountain Taranaki

They were firmly connected to their Turangawaewae

Then arrived the colonial wars, that uprooted their lives, and resulted in their captivity

They were brought as prisoners to the deep south, to the colder climes, to this strange land

They were separated from their whanau.

They were put to work building roads.

Sickness and death befell them.

One by one many died, and they were buried in the Northern and Southern cemeteries.

Buried in unmarked paupers' graves.

Lonely graves, in the midst of those who were their captors and also those who enjoyed the rights and dignity of free people.

We will not forget them, the suffering and their loss can only be imagined, their sacrifice will be remembered. "

The Parihaka Memorial Stone:

"e Kare au e mate

Ka mate Ko te mate

Na ora tonu aau"

"I shall not die

When death itself is dead

I shall still be alive"

- pai marire

Contributed by Edward Ellison of Otakou Ngai Tahu