The New Zealand Wars and their Aftermath Part 2

Maori Assertions of Rangatiratanga Through War in the 1840's (A) The Wairau Affray June1843 –Pg Olsen& Stenson- make notes –‘Glimpses’ - pg 28 – quests 1-10 (B) The war in the North –Video – NZ Wars

Charles Emilius Gold’s impression of the scene of what was known to horrified European settlers as the ‘Wairau massacre’ was painted in 1851, eight years after the event. In April 1843 the New Zealand Company sent surveyors to land in the Wairau Valley, which the Ngāti Toa tribe denied had been sold by them. When Ngāti Toa chiefs Te Rauparaha and Te Rangihaeata disrupted the survey an armed force was sent to arrest them, and in the confrontation a stray shot killed Te Rangihaeata’s wife, Te Rongo. Following an exchange of fire, nine of the European force surrendered. The prisoners were then executed to avenge Te Rongo’s death. In all, 22 Europeans and at least four Māori died

The war in the North Hone Heke Kawiti Nga Puhi British Fitzroy Grey 1845 Waka Nene VSVSVSVS

Cause Hone Heke felt disgruntled with the treaty & felt that there were threats to his rangitiratanga Heke was strongly against Makatu (murderer) being handed over to the British Customs duties were now paid to the crown and not Heke and local chiefs He was annoyed at shifting of the capital from Kororareka to Auckland Some Maori wanted to sell land to settlers but pre-emption prevented this until 1844.

Heke cut down the flagpole at Kororareka 3 times as an attack on Br sovereignty. Belich (1986) argues that it was more than just a symbolic attack- if they (Br) could not defend their flag in one of their largest settlements, what could they defend?

Course of Events 1.In 1844 Kororareka was burned by Heke and his men. 2.Fitzroy sent for British troops from Australia 3.The first battle at Puketutu was inconclusive 4.The second battle at Te Ahu Ahu was a victory for Fitzroy’s ally Waka Nene against Heke 5.Kawiti built a pa at Ohaewai. When the British attacked they were decimated by Maori fire because the British expected the Maori to be decimated by their artillery fire. Br underestimated their ability but claimed the victory anyway because K & H slipped away

6. Belich (1986) argues that Kawiti had revolutionised warfare by creating anti-artillery bunkers in his purpose build pa. 7. The following day the British took Ohaewai as Kawhiti had abandoned it as though it has served its purpose.- to slow down and drain resources of the attackers 8. The final battle was at Ruapekapeka (the bats nest)- another purpose built pa. 9.The British Governor Fitzroy had been replaced in 1845 by George Grey. 10.Br took 3 weeks to get to the pa, then shelled it for 2 weeks. On 11 Jan 1846 Nga Puhi left pa- perhaps for a church service

11.Confusion reigns as to why Maori were outside Ruapekapeka on the final day of that battle. Belich maintains that Kawhiti and Heke were trying to draw the British into an ambush. Other historians maintain the Maori were saying prayers. ln any case fourteen British were killed in fighting but they took Ruapekapeka. 12.Br gained no advantage because the pa was miles from no where

CONSEQUENCES 1. Grey claimed victory at Ruapekapeka and in the Northern War. 2. However, Belich (1986) argues that Ruapekapeka was only a paper victory and that Heke and Kawiti won the war. 3. This is because they were never captured, lost land, or made to pay compensation. Settler accounts show that Heke acted with contempt for British authority after 1846 and the flagpole was never erected while he lived. 4. However, Kawhiti and Heke were limited by their part time army and the governors had certainly shown the power available to them.