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New Zealand Wars | Ngā Pakanga o Aotearoa: War in Taranaki 1860-61 and 1864-66

The campaigns in the Taranaki region were initiated by settler and the New Zealand Government's demand for arable land. The spark was a dispute over land held at Waitara by Māori but conflict soon spread throughout the Taranaki region. SCIS no. 1966002 SCIS

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"The War in New Zealand. The 57th Regiment taking a Maori Redoubt on the Katikara River, Taranaki"

"The War in New Zealand. The 57th Regiment taking a Maori Redoubt on the Katikara River, Taranaki"

Column of Pakeha troops advancing on earthwalled redoubt with Maori defenders leaving by rear. Foreground skirmishing between regimental troops and Maori forces. Huts on redoubt interior are filled...

Missionary protection of Māori cartoon

Missionary protection of Māori cartoon

Cartoon from the Taranaki Punch showing a missionary protecting a Māori man from being shot at by a soldier

- War in Taranaki 1860-63

Wiremu Kingi's opposition to the Crown's attempts to purchase land near the mouth of the Waitara River in north Taranaki in 1859 led to the outbreak of war in March 1860

Rough eye sketch of ground reconnoitred for position for guns on north bank of Oakura River in front of rebel position Kaitake Ranges, Province of Taranaki, New Zealand : shewing route followed in reconnaissance : transmitted with D.Qr.Mr. General's report and journal, July 7th 1863.

Sketch map of the North Island of New Zealand shewing approximately the loyal and rebel districts from the commencement of the Taranaki War to May 1869 : also the proportion of natives in each district who have joined in the rebellion / drawn by T.W. Palin, Defence Office Wellington & on stone by D Henderson.

Taranaki War map 1860-61

Taranaki War map 1860-61

Map showing main areas of conflict in the first phase of the Taranaki War

New Zealand Wars Veterans

New Zealand Wars Veterans

Photograph of a group of early settlers and veterans of the New Zealand Wars. Six men and one woman are seated on a grassy hill. The woman is representing her husband who was ill when the photograp...

IN FIGHTING TRIM: A MAORI CHIEF WITH THE ARMS HE CARRIED IN THE TARANAKI WARS.

IN FIGHTING TRIM: A MAORI CHIEF WITH THE ARMS HE CARRIED IN THE TARANAKI WARS.

IN FIGHTING TRIM: A MAORI CHIEF WITH THE ARMS HE CARRIED IN THE TARANAKI WARS.

Māori at gates of New Plymouth cartoon

Māori at gates of New Plymouth cartoon

Cartoon showing Māori threat to New Plymouth

Maori prisoners, members of the Hauhau church captured at Wereroa Pa, Waitotara, South Taranaki District, under guard on board a prison hulk in Wellington Harbour

Maori prisoners, members of the Hauhau church captured at Wereroa Pa, Waitotara, South Taranaki District, under guard on board a prison hulk in Wellington Harbour

Copy negative taken by an unidentified photographer employed or contracted by 'The Press' newspaper of Christchurch. Photographer of original unidentified. Source of descriptive information - Nega...

[The ambuscade in Taranaki]

[The ambuscade in Taranaki]

Taranaki Military Settlers, Pukearuhe

Taranaki Military Settlers, Pukearuhe

The Taranaki Military Settlers, formed during the wars of the 1860s, were a volunteer force recruited partly from the Australian and New Zealand goldfields. In return for carrying out policing duti...

New Plymouth from Marsland Hill...1860

New Plymouth from Marsland Hill...1860

Showing a drawing by Edwin Harris looking north west from Marsland Hill across New Plymouth towards the harbour during the Maori Wars showing St Marys Church (centre)

"Camp Waitara"

View of "Camp Waitara". Maori figure standing on road in middle foreground, camp in background with flag flying.; Watercolour/Paint; Paper

Memorial to the fallen in the New Zealand Wars, in Main Road, Manaia - Photograph taken by James Duncan

Memorial to the fallen in the New Zealand Wars, in Main Road, Manaia - Photograph taken by James Duncan

View of the Main Street in Manaia, showing the monument to fallen soldiers in the New Zealand Wars. Visible behind the monument are the business premises of Francis McCarthy (shoemaker), and Cosgro...

Taranaki showing Maori land ownership

Taranaki showing Maori land ownership

'Map sent by Featherston to Grey. Drawn by two Maoris, one with survey experience and approved by Te Patukakariki, 29 August 1861...Sent to Colonial Office, CO 209/165, Grey to Newcastle, 6 Decembe...

AN HISTORICAL CHURCH: A VIEW OF ST. MARY'S, NEW PLYMOUTH, TARANAKI, WHICH WAS USED AS A PLACE OF REFUGE DURING THE MAORI WAR.

AN HISTORICAL CHURCH: A VIEW OF ST. MARY'S, NEW PLYMOUTH, TARANAKI, WHICH WAS USED AS A PLACE OF REFUGE DURING THE MAORI WAR.

AN HISTORICAL CHURCH: A VIEW OF ST. MARY'S, NEW PLYMOUTH, TARANAKI, WHICH WAS USED AS A PLACE OF REFUGE DURING THE MAORI WAR.

Telescope

A large, battered brass telescope with no markings. The glass is missing from both ends.; Brass/Metal; A note in the old museum accession register says this telescope was "used to watch the 'rebel...

Loyal and rebel districts, 1869

Loyal and rebel districts, 1869

Title: North Island - Showing approximately, the loyal and rebel districts from the commencement of the Taranaki War to May 1869. Also the proportion of Natives in each district who joined the rebe...

"The Limit of the Sap at Te Arei"

"The Limit of the Sap at Te Arei"

View of the end of Pratt's sap, which was constructed during the seige of Hapurona's Pa, Te Arei (seen in the background) with further protective outwork on the left. Shown as it appeared on conclu...

"The Hauhaus Fight Back at Otautu on the Patea"

"The Hauhaus Fight Back at Otautu on the Patea"

Monochromatic painting depicting a group of eight Māori men gathered in a bushy area. The men wear piupiu and are bare chested. Some of the men have moko. They are all carring rifles.; Pencil, Ink ...

Military camp, Waitara, 1860

Military camp, Waitara, 1860

Pressure from settlers to acquire Māori land, and Māori resistance to selling their land, erupted into war at Waitara, Taranaki, in 1860. British troops built the military camp shown in this waterc...

The New Zealand Gazette Extraordinary.

The New Zealand Gazette Extraordinary.

The New Zealand Gazette Extraordinary, 2 April 1860. Including Browne's proclamation of 31 March 1860 regarding the Ōmata murders, reprinted in English and Māori, with a notice in English from Colo...

Pai Mārire flags

Pai Mārire flags

The Pai Mārire (Hauhau) faith was a Māori resistance movement which gained many followers, including some members of Ngā Rauru, during the wars of the 1860s in Taranaki. The illustration shows, fro...

Untitled (New Plymouth from Marsland Hill)

Untitled (New Plymouth from Marsland Hill)

Sketched just prior to the artist's departure on the evening of Friday 3 August 1860 this painting records troops from the 40th Regiment disembarking from the sloop "H.M.S. Victoria". Amongst the o...

Proclamation for civil evacuation

Proclamation for civil evacuation

War between Māori and Pākehā began in Taranaki over land, specifically Chief Wiremu Kingi Te Rangitake’s objection to the Pekapeka block of land (at Waitara) being sold to by another chief. As host...

Plan of New Plymouth, Taranaki

Plan of New Plymouth, Taranaki

Street map of New Plymouth showing the position of walls around the town with forts and blockhouses drawn by Thomas Mould

"Volunteer Rifles going on duty, New Plymouth, 1860"

"Volunteer Rifles going on duty, New Plymouth, 1860"

Volunteer Rifles going on duty, New Plymouth. View from the Gover Street/Woolcombe Terrace area and looking back over central New Plymouth to the mountain, 1860.; Watercolour & Pencil; Paper

British Army. New Plymouth Garrison, Imperial Regiments

British Army. New Plymouth Garrison, Imperial Regiments

The New Plymouth Garrison Order book documents the period from the 9 January to the 20 October 1864. It details the troop movements in the Taranaki region of both the Imperial troops and local mili...

Photographer unknown :Portrait of Corpl. Goddard

Photographer unknown :Portrait of Corpl. Goddard

Inscriptions: Torn in places but reads as follows - Corpl. Goddard 43rd New Plymouth N.Z. 1866. Died the day we..... Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s).

Marines Disembarking 'Victoria'

Marines Disembarking 'Victoria'

Imperial troops disembarking the "H.M.V.S. Victoria" off the coast of New Plymouth. Two surfboats carrying soldiers in red coats are featured in the foreground. Both boats are chartered by men in ...

Taranaki Provincial Council public notices

Taranaki Provincial Council public notices

In the early 1980s the Taranaki Museum produced series of five facsimiles of public notices from the Taranaki Provincial Council collection held in the archive.

Tunic, Military (Taranaki Militia)

Tunic, Military (Taranaki Militia)

A navy blue Taranaki Militia tunic with dark green facings and hook fastenings and Dark green piping on arms and shoulders. Toggles missing.; This tunic was issued to George Newsham Curtis.

Proclamations

Collection of proclamations and notices issued by the Military and Civil authorities during the period 1858 - 1861, plus one from 1915.

L Pa Waitara [map]

L Pa Waitara [map]

Shows the L Pa/Te Kohia built during the first skirmish of the Taranaki War at Waitara 17 March 1860. The events that took place during the skirmish are marked, including the spot where John Sarten...

Pah at the mouth of Waitara rivers, NZ

Pah at the mouth of Waitara rivers, NZ

Plan shewing coast line from Waitara to Tataraimaka, Province of Taranaki, New Zealand / compiled and lithd. at the Topographical Depot, War Office ; Col. Sir H. James, R.E., F.R.S. &c., director.

Cannonball

A cannonball, or shrapnel shell, which still contains its original lead shot. There is a 25mm diameter hole in the cannonball through which the shot is visible.; Iron/Metal; Lead/Metal; This cannon...

Gledhill, Francis Ullathorne

Gledhill, Francis Ullathorne

Born in Yorkshire, England, Gledhill came to New Zealand on the ship Bella Marina in 1844. After settling in Taranaki, he became a merchant and auctioneer. During the land wars he served in the Mou...

Taranaki showing Maori land ownership

Taranaki showing Maori land ownership

'Map sent by Featherston to Grey. Drawn by two Maoris, one with survey experience and approved by Te Patukakariki, 29 August 1861...Sent to Colonial Office, CO 209/165, Grey to Newcastle, 6 Decembe...

Troops crossing Patea River, New Zealand.

Troops crossing Patea River, New Zealand.

Lower right (l.r.) in pencil: Troops crossing Patea River, NZ; through image with brush: W. L.t Com.d.r R.Artillery L. Col Williams Roy. Artill; verso: 61

A stroll on the beach - Mount Egmont in the distance - 16 Feb.y 65 - daybreak. After marching all Night Wanganui Campaign.

A stroll on the beach - Mount Egmont in the distance - 16 Feb.y 65 - daybreak. After marching all Night Wanganui Campaign.

Lower left (l.l.) - lower right (l.r.) in pencil: 3. A stroll on the beach - M.t Egmont in the distance - 16 Feb.y 65 Daybreak after marching all Night Wanganui Campaign; on sketchbook mount: this ...

Armed constabulary

Armed constabulary

The influence of European fashion and appearance was quickly appreciated and assimilated by Māori, as the bottom group of people reveals in this sketch by Hobson. It features a Māori woman on horse...

[Arden, Francis Hamar], 1841-1899 :Bell Blockhouse, Taranaki. 1860.

[Arden, Francis Hamar], 1841-1899 :Bell Blockhouse, Taranaki. 1860.

Shows the tower of the blockhouse on the left, and other buildings in the middle distance. There are several soldiers standing on guard in the foreground, and a cannon on wheels in the centre. The...

Warre, Henry James, 1819-1898 :Te Arei. Oct 17. [1864]

Warre, Henry James, 1819-1898 :Te Arei. Oct 17. [1864]

Mount Taranaki to the right in the middle distance. In the foreground is the earth and palisade fortification at Pukerangiora Pa, Te Arei, on the Waitara River. Two European soldiers are in the tre...

Artist unknown :Mount Egmont and Turo Turo Mokai Redoubt, New Zealand. [Published in The illustrated Australian news, 19 June 1869]

Artist unknown :Mount Egmont and Turo Turo Mokai Redoubt, New Zealand. [Published in The illustrated Australian news, 19 June 1869]

Wood engraving showing a view of Mount Taranaki, with the military camp of Turuturumokai in the foreground, with soldiers drilling, a bullock wagon, tents and walls. The redoubt was constructed in...

New Plymouth, Taranaki.

New Plymouth, Taranaki.

This is an early depiction of New Plymouth from 1860 looking from Marsland Hill with St Mary's Church in the foreground. The settlement of New Plymouth was established in 1841 under the New Zealand...

[Harris, Edwin] ca 1810-1895 :[New Plymouth, 3 August 1860. Troops of the 40th Regiment being ferried ashore by lighters from H. M. S. Victoria, early evening, with H. M. S. Airedale, Paddle steamer Tasmanian Maid, brigantine George Henderson and a schooner]

[Harris, Edwin] ca 1810-1895 :[New Plymouth, 3 August 1860. Troops of the 40th Regiment being ferried ashore by lighters from H. M. S. Victoria, early evening, with H. M. S. Airedale, Paddle steamer Tasmanian Maid, brigantine George Henderson and a schooner]

Shows arrival of 40th Regiment (from Australia) on the Victoria with, from left the Airedale (steam sloop), Tasmanian Maid (Paddle steamer), George Henderson (Brigantine), a Schooner (Emily Allison...

Te Āti Awa lands

Te Āti Awa lands

This map shows the traditional lands of Te Āti Awa of Taranaki. On the coast, the southern boundary is Ōnukutaipari, near New Plymouth, and the northern boundary is Te Rau o te Huia, near Motunui. ...

Wiremu Kīngi Te Rangitāke’s pā

Wiremu Kīngi Te Rangitāke’s pā

This painting by 19th-century artist Henry James Warre depicts much of the Te Āti Awa area in north Taranaki. The scene is of Wiremu Kīngi Te Rangitāke’s pā at Waitara in 1861, with the tribal boun...

Story: Te Rangitake, Wiremu Kingi -

Te Rangitake is thought to have been born in the last years of the eighteenth century, at Manukorihi pa, Waitara. He was of Ngati Kura and Ngati Mutunga descent, and is primarily identified with Te...

Te Pūtake o te Riri: Emotions run high on second day of commemorations

Tears have been shed, hymns sung and hopes for the future expressed at the second day of Te Pūtake o te Riri - the New Zealand Wars commemorations in Taranaki.

General Chute's march

General Chute's march

This watercolour by Gustavus von Tempsky shows Māori involved in Major General Trevor Chute's march around Mt Taranaki in January and February 1866. The purpose of the march was to destroy villages...

General Chute's forces at Te Pūtahi pā

General Chute's forces at Te Pūtahi pā

Encampment of Chute's forces near Te Pūtahi pā, on the Whenuakura River, by Gustavus von Tempsky.

"General Chute's famous March round Mt Egmont. Major Von Tempsky points out the route, while Dr Featherston looks on. 17th Jan 1866."

"General Chute's famous March round Mt Egmont. Major Von Tempsky points out the route, while Dr Featherston looks on. 17th Jan 1866."

Major Von Tempsky (on the right) points out the route to General Chute (middle) while Dr Featherston (far left) looks on, of the proposed march around Mt Taranaki. The group are standing underneath...

Taranaki war, 1863–64

The first page of this interactive map shows the scenes of renewed fighting between Māori and government forces from May 1863 until the end of April 1864 in Taranaki. Click through the series of sl...

Artist unknown :[Album of an officer. Enjoying a pipe and a book, South Taranaki or Wanganui? Nov. 15 [18]65

Soldier with a pipe, book and drink

Life for a European soldier during the Taranaki campaigns wasn’t all fighting. In fact, for most of the time soldiers worked on fatigues, (menial non-military jobs like collecting firewood or water...

Te Ua Haumēne

Te Ua Haumēne, one of the best-known Māori prophets, raises his right hand in this photo from the 1860s. He is wearing a korowai, a traditional cloak. Te Ua had been baptised Horopapera (Zerubbabel...

Chapter 18: The First Taranaki War

James Cowan’s account of the First Taranaki War from his New Zealand Wars book.

North (First) Taranaki war 1860-1861

The war began on 7 March 1860 when the British Army opened fire on Te Kohia Pā, near Waitara, where Te Ātiawa were entrenched and awaiting battle.

The First Taranaki War and Te Tau Ihu, Nelson

The First Taranaki War was a serious conflict over land rights in early settler New Zealand. Written for NCEA Assessment, by Hayley Goldthorpe, Nelson College for Girls 2016.

Legacy of Taranaki land wars still lingers 157 years on

It has been over 157 years since the first shots in the New Zealand land wars were fired in Taranaki, but the conflict's legacy still hangs over the province.

Native Affairs - Taranaki land war continues

Waitara Māori say it’s hard to commemorate the New Zealand Land Wars when they’re still fighting for their land.

Research papers

The invasion of Taranaki and iwi losses

For Ngā iwi o Taranaki the wars themselves were a devastating experience; combined with the passing of the New Zealand Settlements Act they signalled the end of a way of life.

North Taranaki fortifications

The First Taranaki War, lasting 12 months, was largely fought around fixed positions. This section deals with fortifications in north Taranaki between Parininihi (White Cliffs) and Opunake.

NZ Wars: Stories of Waitara

"NZ Wars: Stories of Waitara" combines oral histories, state of the art animations and powerful dramatic re-enactments to bring to life the narratives of Te Ātiawa in their epic battle against the ...

‘The Māori trouble’ at Waitara: Revisiting the Taranaki wars and myths set in stone

A new documentary by Mihingarangi Forbes and Great Southern Television for RNZ tells of the first conflicts over the fertile lands of Taranaki.

For house and home

Historian Danny Keenan’s look at the life of Wiremu Kingi Rangitake of Waitara.

Soldier artist's Taranaki experiences brought to life at Tawhiti Museum

A reluctant army marching up the South Taranaki coast in 1865 went so slowly its artillery officer had time to paint.

Murder at Pukearuhe

In the 1860s this paddock above the White Cliffs was home to the Pukearuhe redoubt, manned by military settlers who protected the only route north to Mōkau from New Plymouth.

The Taranaki question and the origin of the war

Extract of a letter from the Rev, John Whitely, dated Taranaki, May I, 1860.

Duncan Alexander Cameron

Duncan Alexander Cameron was a distinguished soldier in the British army, who succeeded General Pratt as commander in New Zealand in April 1861.

Praised as a hero for his success against the Māori on his march around Mount Taranaki in 1866, Major-General Trevor Chute has since been regarded as a brute.

Colonial mindset of New Plymouth's founding father revealed

"I believe myself that the natives, in heart and thought, would bless the days that Government took into their hands the management and disposal of this land, as it would release them from their p...

Taranaki Wars app

The war that began in 1860 at Waitara was firstly over land but it was increasingly over whose law was to prevail in the country.

The Second Taranaki War

James Cowan’s account of the Second Taranaki War from his book New Zealand Wars.

Buried treasure

Would you risk your life for this dessert plate? During the First Taranaki War in 1860, it seems members of the Atkinson family did.

Second trail launched for app designed to tell Taranaki land war history

The second trail of the Taranaki Wars app covers events which took place between 1863-1865, from Waireka to Warea, and includes information about 11 different sites.

The New Zealand Wars: Taranaki prophets

The Second Taranaki War featured Te Ua Haumēne and the Pai Mārire or Hauhau movement.

The battle of Moutoa Island

Peace on the Whanganui River was shattered once more in May 1864. Upriver Māori had adopted the Pai Mārire (Hauhau) faith.

Te Ua Haumēne – Pai Mārire and Hauhau

The religion became known both as ‘Pai Mārire’ and ‘Hauhau’, the two common refrains adopted at the end of prayers to refer to the breath of life, bestowed by God.

Pukerangiora pa

Pukerangiora Pa, situated high on a bluff above the Waitara River, was fought over during three eras of New Zealand warfare.

War memorials, Taranaki Wars

There are some memorials to the casualties of the Taranaki Wars from 1860 to 1869.

War in Taranaki 1860-63

Classroom ideas.

New Zealand Wars remembered in Taranaki

We need to be on the same page about our history to move forward, together. That's the message from organisers of three-day national commemorations of the New Zealand Wars, which begin in Taranaki...

Letters to the editor

Letters to the editor (May 1860) regarding, Missionaries and the Taranaki Māori ‘rebellion’.

“…the Maori has advanced from the matted savage, with the occasional rusty musket, into the best accoutred and most formidable warrior out of the pale of civilization—an animal of the fittest natur...

War and confiscation: a Taranaki iwi perspective

The Crown’s determination to overcome tribal policies saw an alternative programme implemented and sales agreements with individuals and groups of individuals took place without any sanction from a...

Māori strategy in the Taranaki War

Māori in the Taranaki War fought a largely defensive war. They did however, have an overall strategy which they actively pursued. The British were largely unable to counter this strategy effectively.

Research papers

The Taranaki report WAI 143

The nub of the Taranaki complaint is the land confiscations during the 1860s wars.

The story of the Battle of Moutoa

On Moutoa Island a battle took place between the lower Whanganui tribes and a party of up-river Hauhau on May 14, 1864.

Find more information on this topic on EPIC. Databases recommended: New Zealand Geographic, Australia New Zealand Reference Centre (Plus), New Zealand History Collection (BWB). School login may be ...

Negotiating the Te Ātiawa Claim

The claim begins with the wars fought at Waitara in 1860-1861 and the land confiscations which followed.

Deed of settlement

A summary of the historical background to the claims Te Ātiawa.

Roadside Stories: The wars of Waitara

In 1860 a dispute over land ownership at Waitara led to the first Taranaki war between Māori and the government.

Relief of Pipiriki, July-August 1865

In April 1865, the Crown established a military post at Pipiriki, fifty-five miles up the Whanganui River, in order to block the passage of Māori hapū of the Upper Whanganui (many who were Pai Māri...

Military reserves

1867 map of reserves for military purposes in Whānganui.

Pekapeka Block Deed map, 1860

This is the original map from the Crown Purchase Deed of Pekapeka Block, and the catalyst for war in Taranaki.

Lithograph of Taranaki

This undated map of Taranaki shows the extent of land confiscated by the Crown as a result of the New Zealand Wars. The Lands & Survey’s map features many significant war sites, including Tītok...

Death of Hapurona

This chief, known as Ngawakawawe before he was known as Hapurona, and as Tuahuterangi while he was a Hauhau, was the greatest Māori general that fought against us.”

Stories of Waitara - Dr Ruakere Hond

"NZ Wars: Stories of Waitara" combines oral histories, state of the art animations and powerful dramatic re-enactments to bring to life the narratives of Te Ātiawa in their epic battle against the ...

Fortifications of the New Zealand Wars

This report catalogues 505 New Zealand War fortifications, including the Puketapu Feud, and the decisive 1860s fighting in North Taranaki.

In 1862 a new religious faith, Pai Mārire, grew out of the conflict over land in Taranaki.

Further papers relative to the native insurrection, 1861

The Taranaki question.

Moutoa Gardens memorial

Moutoa Gardens memorial

New Zealand’s first war memorial lies in Whanganui’s Moutoa gardens. Erected by grateful Pakeha citizens it acknowledges the 1864 Battle of Moutoa Island. This battle was fought between Lower Whang...

Pukerangiora

Pukerangiora Pa

Pukerangiora pa lies up the Waitara river on a bluff with views towards the coast and Waitara. The pa commandeered a strategic position in both Taranaki wars. In the first war (1860-61) British tro...

Wiremu Kingi Te Rangitake

Wiremu Kingi Te Rangitake

“I will not, I will not, I will not'. The confrontation at Waitara between the Government and Wiremu Kingi Te Rangitake was precipitated by Kingi’s refusal to allow the sale of land on the south...

“I will be very thank full tu yoo if yoo would inquire if they would be dainger for me tu go among the white men in this country please write tu me and Mr Tama Tana tu know that I am a free man or ...

The New Zealand Wars

This page from Many Answers will guide you to reviewed websites and databases on the New Zealand Wars.

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