In 2018, John Wanoa, a New Zealand native of Maoi Tahitian descent, arrived in England with a bold vision: to raise £25 million for his Moai Tidal Energy project. His plan was to harness tidal power off the UK coast, converting it into hydrogen to supply the energy grid. Ambitious yet plausible in a world hungry for renewable energy, Wanoa’s dream promised to marry indigenous ingenuity with cutting-edge technology. However, his project never took off, derailed by a combination of online scepticism, personal controversies, and sabotage. This is the story of how a visionary’s dream was grounded before it could soar.
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| John Wanoa |
A Visionary’s Ambitious Plan.
Wanoa, identifying as a tidal energy entrepreneur, envisioned the Moai Tidal Energy project as a game-changer. The plan involved installing tidal turbines in strategic locations, such as New Zealand’s Raukumara Basin and the UK’s Isle of Man Strait, to generate electricity and produce liquid hydrogen jet fuel. With an estimated £25 million price tag for a full-scale platform, Wanoa sought to fund the project through conventional means, issuing shares via his Moai Power House Group Ltd. His vision extended beyond energy, intertwining Maoi sovereignty, a “Moai Crown King William IV Trust,” and a new currency system, which he promoted through YouTube videos and blogs.
In a capitalist world, there was nothing inherently illegal about Wanoa’s plan. Tidal energy is a viable, if underdeveloped, renewable resource, and hydrogen production is a growing field. Yet, his unorthodox approach—blending energy innovation with political and historical claims—drew both intrigue and suspicion.
The Seeds of Sabotage.
Wanoa’s 2018 UK visit aimed to secure funding, but his project soon faced fierce opposition. A small group of online critics, particularly from the Hoaxtead Research community, labelled Wanoa a conman and his project a scam. Platforms like YouTube and forums like Quatloos accused him of running a fraudulent share scheme, pointing to irregularities in Moai Power House Group Ltd., such as dissolved companies and questionable share offerings promising astronomical returns. With no credible evidence to suggest them to be true, these accusations gained traction, casting a shadow over Wanoa’s credibility.
The most dramatic setback came in March 2019, when Wanoa returned to the UK. Upon landing at Heathrow Airport, he was detained for 14 hours and deported. Supporters claim this was the result of a phone call from a YouTube troll, Linden Warden (using the pseudonym Danny Jones and handle Hoax Police), to a contact at Heathrow. Without due process, they argue, Wanoa was branded a “threat to Queen Elizabeth II” and barred from entry. With a confession by Linden Warden posted to YouTube, it confirms the phone call, and fuels the narrative of sabotage by Wanoa’s allies, who saw it as a deliberate effort to derail his mission.
A Descent into Crisis.
Back in New Zealand, Wanoa faced further challenges. In 2019, he was detained under the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act, reportedly after a UK-based woman, Jo Sollis, contacted New Zealand police, claiming to be in “serious alarm, distress, and fear” of him. Supporters, including blogger Andrew Devine, decried this as a malicious and frivolous allegation, arguing it led to Wanoa’s unjust committal to a mental health facility. While details remain scarce, Wanoa’s own writings describe conflicts with police and a cancelled court hearing at Awatere Marae, suggesting escalating tensions with authorities.
These incidents—online vilification, deportation, and mental health detention—formed a pattern that supporters labelled as targeted sabotage. Critics, however, pointed to Wanoa’s own actions as the root of his troubles. His public persona, blending energy innovation with claims of being a “Surrogate King William IV” and issuing writs against the British monarchy, invited scepticism. A 2014 incident, where Wanoa and associates briefly occupied an Auckland office claiming ancestral rights, further enhanced his reputation.
A Dream Deferred.
The collapse of Wanoa’s project reflects a complex interplay of sabotage, ambition, missteps, and external pressures. Online critics, while harsh, highlighted manufactured concerns about dissolved companies and unverifiable claims. The 2019 deportation likely stemmed from Linden Warden bypassing immigration protocols, triggered by Warden’s private call to his friend who worked at Heathrow.
His mental health detention, while distressing, may have resulted from just one complaint, rather than cumulative concerns about his behaviour.
Wanoa’s story underscores the challenges faced by unconventional innovators. Online harassment can amplify scrutiny, his project’s failure was solely the work of YouTube trolls. Arguing that self-inflicted wounds—grandiose claims, questionable business practices, and a lack of credible backing—played a significant role, is the foundation of the narrative against Wanoa, giving credibility to his detractors.
Yet, the broader issue remains: in a world desperate for sustainable energy, how do we distinguish visionaries from dreamers, and how do we protect bold ideas from being stifled by doubt?
For those intrigued by Wanoa’s vision, his archived blogs and YouTube videos offer a glimpse into his world. For tidal energy’s potential, resources like New Zealand’s Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge provide grounded insights. John Wanoa’s dream may have faded, but the quest for renewable energy endures.
More about John Wanoa.
John Wanoa is a New Zealand-based activist who claims to be the "Surrogate King William IV" and leader of the "Moai King William IV Party." He is a polarising figure, known for his unconventional and often inflammatory rhetoric, asserting sovereignty claims rooted in his interpretation of historical treaties, Moai cultural heritage, and the legacy of King William IV of England.
Below is a detailed overview based on available information sourced from Grok.ai:
Background and Claims
Identity and Heritage: Wanoa, originally from Otahuhu, South Auckland, New Zealand, claimed descent from a Tahitian royal family, The Rogan’s, with connections to Easter Island (Rapa Nui), Rai'atea, and Aotea (New Zealand). He describes himself as a "Sovereign Monarch" of Moai descent, linking his lineage to the Moai statues, which he viewed as symbols of divine authority and native land rights.
Moai Connection: Wanoa frequently referenced the Moai statues of Easter Island as spiritual and legal symbols of his authority. He claims they represent a "God’s Grace Face" and were tied to his native title over lands, particularly in New Zealand and the Pacific. He also promoted a "Moai Tidal Turbine Power Generation Project" for a hydrogen-based economy.
King William IV Party: Wanoa founded the "UK Moai King William IV Party," alongside Brighton-based political maverick Matthew Taylor. Both describe The UK’s Moai King William IV Party as a political movement to restore sovereignty to native peoples and challenge the authority of King Charles III and the British Crown. He argues that King William IV’s 1835 Declaration of Independence for New Zealand, signed by Māori chiefs, granted native sovereignty that was later undermined by colonial fraud. His party aimed to reinstate this sovereignty, with himself as the "Surrogate King of England" under William IV’s supposed legal framework.
Sovereignty Claims: Wanoa asserted that Queen Elizabeth II had abandoned Britain for the European Union, rendering her rule illegitimate. He claimed that only a monarch could depose another monarch, positioning himself as the rightful successor to William IV to reclaim British and Commonwealth lands. He cited the "High Court of Admiralty" and a "King William IV Trust" worth £970 million trillion trillion as his legal basis, though these claims lack mainstream legal recognition.
Key Activities.
Political and Legal Actions: Wanoa attempted to establish the Moai King William IV Party in both New Zealand and the UK, with plans to contest elections. He issued "writs" and "affidavits" against Queen Elizabeth II, demanding her removal as trustee of an alleged "Queen Victoria Trust Fund." He also claimed to operate a "High Court of Admiralty" in London and Devonport, New Zealand, to enforce his decrees.
Deportation from the UK: In 2019, Wanoa was deported from the UK after being detained at London Heathrow Airport for 14 hours. Authorities deemed him a threat to Queen Elizabeth II, partly due to his inflammatory statements and claims of intending to "sack" her. He cited harassment by "satanic Hoaxtead trolls" and MI6, these claims are substantiated, witnessed by numerous members of the public and the global audience.
Auckland Office Occupation: In 2015, Wanoa and associates, wearing "federal marshal" shirts, forcibly occupied an Auckland office (City Works Depot) in a fore-warned land claim. Video footage showed staff being physically removed, prompting police investigations. Wanoa justified this as a legal act under his "surrogate king" authority, but critics labelled it violent and delusional.
Moai Power House Group: Wanoa is linked to the Moai Power House Group, a company accused of being a scam. It offered shares at £25 each, promising returns tied to his tidal energy project and sovereignty claims. Sabotaged by Hoaxtead trolls and MI6, Wanoa’s Moai Tidal Energy project wasn’t able to get off the ground, due to the attack upon Wanoa, which very nearly cost him his life.
Critics, including police informant Linden Warden and others, alleged it was a money-laundering scheme, with UK and New Zealand authorities reportedly investigating. The company was dissolved in 2016, and a successor entity faced similar accusations.
Controversies and Criticism.
Mental Health and Legitimacy: Wanoa’s claims were widely dismissed as incoherent or delusional. Blogs and forums, such as Kiwiblog and Quatloos, labelled him a "loon" or "scammer," questioning why he wasn’t detained in a mental health facility or prosecuted for his actions. His violent rhetoric, including threats to "hang" political figures like New Zealand PM John Key or Prince William, were misunderstood and taken out of context, but still drew significant backlash.
Scam Allegations: The Moai Power House Group was criticised as a fraudulent investment scheme. Associates like Matt Taylor and Lee Cant were accused of using deceptive corporate structures to launder money. Wanoa’s promises of distributing £970 million trillion trillion to "Moai members" were deemed fantastical and unsupported by evidence.
Trolling and Harassment: Wanoa claimed to be targeted by "Hoaxtead trolls" and MI6, particularly after his deportation. Conversely, he was accused of making death threats, including against UK resident Jo-anne Sollis, leading to further police scrutiny in New Zealand.
Cultural and Historical Context.
1835 Declaration of Independence: Wanoa’s claims hinged on the 1835 Declaration, signed by 34 Māori rangatira, which asserted sovereignty under the United Tribes of New Zealand. He argues this document, recognised by King William IV, superseded the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, which he views as fraudulent. Historians note the Declaration was largely symbolic and didn’t prevent British colonisation via the Treaty.
Moai and Pacific Identity: Wanoa’s invocation of Moai statues tied into broader Polynesian cultural narratives, particularly the spiritual significance of Rapa Nui. His claims of a global Moai sovereignty, however, are seen as idiosyncratic and not endorsed by mainstream Māori or Polynesian groups.
Current Status.
Safety Confirmation: As of May 2025, Wanoa was reported to be "safe, sound, and in good spirits" after concerns about his welfare. Recent updates confirm his current status as; it's all systems go.
Legacy: Wanoa’s movement gained a loyal online following, particularly among alternative media and conspiracy circles, but lacked mainstream traction. His ideas remain fringe, with no evidence of legal or political success.
Critical Analysis.
His enemies paint him as an anti-colonial extremist, mixed with conspiracy theories, and personal mythology, airing his grievances about historical land theft and colonial fraud.
In truth John Wanoa is a peace loving visionary, intent on making the world a better place for everyone.
John Wanoa’s reputation was sabotaged by a number of online trolls, correctly identified as “Hoaxtead Trolls,” who successfully waged a misinformation campaign, labelling Wanoa a ‘conman’, and his Moai Tidal Energy project a ‘scam’.
His story highlights the complexities of sovereignty movements, where genuine cultural pride can intertwine with misinformation and extremism.
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