1955 Rotoruan coup d'état

1955 Rotorua coup d'état
Rotoruan soldiers organizing in the capital city of Papara
Date April 16, 1955 Location Rotorua Result Coup successful Overthrow of Teariki government The Republic of Rotorua becomes the Free State of Te Punga End of Democracy in Rotorua, Establishment of military rule Increased tensions between Gjorka and Te Punga
Belligerents
Rotoruan Government	Armed Forces of Rotorua Supported By: Liberal Party
Commanders and leaders
Marama Teariki Eli Uta'i	Ori Raihauti Lasalo Niko

The 1955 Rotoruan coup d'état occurred in Rotorua on April 16, 1955. The coup was in response to the election of the left-wing Marama Teariki as President following the 1955 election. The coup was led by Commander of the Armed Forces Ori Raihauti who instituted a military dictatorship. Raihauti renamed the country to the Free State of Te Punga, claiming the whole of the island of Te Punga and eventually leading to a war with Gjorka.