Consequences of ruapekapeka. The last battle in this war was fought at Ruapekapeka.

Consequences of ruapekapeka The first Māori to sign the Treaty of Waitangi, Ngāpuhi chief Hōne Heke Pōkai soon became disenchanted with the consequences of colonisation. Jan 29, 2024 · ADDED 1 MORE PIC OF PA SITE - CAPTION IS HIGH;LIGHTED The sealing of a once perilous road means visitors to one of New Zealand's most significant battle sites no longer have to risk life and limb to get there, an iwi leader says. A ban on the felling of kauri and Crown control of land sales added to Ruapekapeka Pā Defying British violations of the Treaty Reacting to the British breaches of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, it was at Ruapekapeka Pā that Māori chiefs and their outnumbered warriors made their final stand of the Northern Wars. Fourteen kilometres south east of Kawakawa, Ruapekapeka is one of the largest and most complex Maori pā in New Zealand. Feb 1, 2021 · Now, 175 years on, Te Ruapekapeka is in a remarkable state of preservation. After the battle of Te Ruapekapeka Jan 11, 2012 · The battle at Ruapekapeka (‘the bats’ nest’), a sophisticated pā built by the Ngāpuhi chief Kawiti, ended the Northern War. It is difficult to know for sure but perhaps 20,000 people were killed. Presented by Mihingarangi Forbes. T he Battle of Ruapekapeka was the last of a series of clashes collectively known as The Northern War (1845-6). [1] He traced descent from Rāhiri and Nukutawhiti of the Ngātokimatawhaorua canoe, the ancestors of the Ngāpuhi. Ruapekapeka (1845) Last battle of the Northern War Tensions increased after Governor William Hobson’s transfer of the capital to Auckland in 1841 and an Australian depression created an economic recession in the Bay of Islands. Governor Grey contacted a local chief aligned with the Crown , asking him to prevent Heke from reinforcing Kawiti at Ruapekapeka. This land war was May 16, 2025 · The plan of Ruapekapeka Pā from 1846, designed by Ngāpuhi, is highlighted as an innovative and heavily fortified structure that influenced modern trench warfare, according to James Belich. Ruapekapeka pā, 14 kilometres south-east of Kawakawa, was the site of the last battle in the northern war between British forces and chiefs of Ngāpuhi and associated tribes. The Ngāpuhi people designed it specifically to defend against the powerful cannons used by British forces. The war originated from tensions between the British settlers and the Māori tribes, particularly the Ngāpuhi clan. The Northern War was over. To breach or diminish tapu was a very serious matter, which had dire consequences in the real world. After a bombardment by British artillery, Kawiti and his men abandoned the pā in January 1846. The aim was to do it T he Musket Wars was a period of ferocious Māori versus Māori conflict which spread across much of the country during the early decades of the 19th century. Journalist Mihingarangi Forbes visits May 9, 2025 · Ngati Hine leader Pita Tipene during the 175th anniversary commemorations of the Battle of Ruapekapeka Pā in 2021. Hōne Heke and Te Ruki Kawiti lacked the resources to continue the war. Apr 28, 2014 · During the northern war of the mid-1840s Ngāpuhi leader Te Ruki Kawiti built a complex pā at Ruapekapeka which included fortified underground shelters. The imposition of European laws and government regulations generated resentment among northern Māori Ruapekapeka Pā Defying British violations of the Treaty Reacting to the British breaches of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, it was at Ruapekapeka Pā that Māori chiefs and their outnumbered warriors made their final stand of the Northern Wars. Photo: RNZ/Peter de Graaf Hundreds of people are expected to gather at Northland's Lake Ōmāpere on Saturday to remember a battle that event organisers say is as pertinent today as it was 180 years ago. Te Ruapekapeka is a wahi tapu or sacred site, steeped in historical relevance. Kawiti led his people against the British during the Northern War. Oct 26, 2017 · Radio New Zealand has released a 30-minute documentary on the battle at Ruapekapeka, an incredibly sophisticated pā in the far north where 400 Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Hine warriors stood against a The purpose of Ruapekapeka Pā was to draw the enemy in, to cause them a great deal of trouble, and then to be abandoned “without a qualm”. Muskets and bayonets The 1840s were a transitional period in terms of firearms Oct 31, 2017 · Iwi historian Arapeta Hamilton speaks about his whakapapa, Nga Puhi Chief Pomare II, economics of the North in the 1800s - as well as the consequence of the Northern Wars and how its effects are still felt in Northland today. He expressed his outrage by repeatedly attacking the flagstaff on the hill above Kororāreka (Russell). [1] He traced descent from Rāhiri and Nukutawhiti of the Ngātokimatawhaorua canoe, the ancestors of the Ngāpuhi. Despard ordered his troops to storm the breach. If Ruapekapeka was a victory for the British, it certainly was a hollow one. This sparks the NZ Wars proper, with the fight for sovereignty, development of trench warfare and inconclusive battles that would mark the conflict as it spread across the motu. The interior of Ruapekapeka Pā was designed to protect the inhabitants from artillery fire, and to provide successive lines of defence within the pā should the enemy gain entry. ” Situated 30km south of the Waitangi settlement, Ruapekapeka was a purpose-built underground fortress that would go on to shelter hundreds of Northern Māori. A pā is a Māori village or defensive settlement, but often refers to hillforts – fortified settlements with palisades and Ruapekapeka pā, 14 kilometres south-east of Kawakawa, was the site of the last battle in the northern war between British forces and chiefs of Ngāpuhi and associated tribes. But whether that means Ngāpuhi won the Northern War that had begun nine months earlier is in some ways a moot point. With only a short drive north along State Highway 1 from Whangarei, everyone is invited to enjoy one of New Zealand's significant historical destinations. Journalist Mihingarangi Forbes visits I take no credit any creation of this video. https://youtu. 1850. [58] Apr 2, 2019 · A few weeks after the battle of Ruapekapeka, the rival Ngāpuhi leaders met at Kawakawa and agreed to stop fighting among themselves. Taken literally, such an expression is of course anthropomorphic and inherently ridiculous. It was the site of Northland’s last great battle between British troops and Nga Puhi forces led by Hone Heke and Kawiti. According to Mikaere, “The greatest, probably most prominent expression of outright Māori resistance to colonial rule was the infamous armed conflict of Ruapekapeka in Northland. He served in a succession of governing positions: Governor of South Australia, twice Governor of New Zealand, Governor of Cape Colony, and the 11th premier of New Zealand. The Flagstaff War – also known as Hone Heke's Rebellion, the Northern War and the First Māori War – was fought between 11 March 1845 and 11 January 1846 in and around the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. (the bats nest) The 11th of January was the final day of fighting and was 178 years ago this year. Kawiti and Heke did not suffer an outright defeat, but the war affected the Ngāpuhi – in the disruption to agriculture and in the presence of British forces who brought with them disease and social disruption. The atua were easily offended and some of them were downright malevolent. But not in New Zealand. But over the years many of the features on the battlefield, including the grave of 12 British troops who died in the battle, have faded from view. Apr 20, 2019 · There had been intermittent fighting with the Maoris for more than a decade; in fact, since colonists first began arriving in numbers on these beautiful but remote islands. The battle site was a pā located 20 kilometres (12 mi The first national commemoration of the New Zealand Wars began on Friday with a mass haka at Te Tii Marae at Waitangi. Unlike most pre-colonial pa it was built in a clearing on a sloping hillside and was an irregular oblong with projecting angles to provide covering fire. 1807 – 7 August 1850), born Heke Pōkai and later often referred to as Hōne Heke, was a highly influential Māori rangatira (chief) of the Ngāpuhi iwi (tribe) and a war leader in northern New Zealand; he was affiliated with the Ngati Rahiri, Ngai Tawake, Ngati Tautahi, Te Matarahurahu and Te Uri-o-Hua hapū (subtribes) of Ngāpuhi. He was an excellent strategist and tactician, and will forever be remembered as the architect of Ruapekapeka pā. The tapu of a The Battle of Ruapekapeka was an engagement that took place from late December 1845 to mid-January 1846 between British forces, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Henry Despard, and Māori warriors of the Ngāpuhi iwi (tribe), led by Hōne Heke and Te Ruki Kawiti, during the Flagstaff War in the Bay of Islands region of New Zealand. Ruapekapeka — "the bat's nest" — is the best preserved and most impressive fighting pā of the Northern war. Kororāreka on 10 March 1845, the day before it was destroyed. A beginning and an end. The capture of Te Ruapekapeka (11 January 1846) T he following day on 11 January 1845, a Sunday, a reconnaissance party of Nene’s men found the pā to be virtually deserted. Where dissatisfaction over the Treaty turned to war: The history of Ruapekapeka is entwined with that of the Treaty of Waitangi, a living document which continues to shape New Zealand society. After a lot of talking (and posturing on the part of Governor Grey), the Northern War was officially over. Sir George Grey, KCB (14 April 1812 – 19 September 1898) was a British soldier, explorer, colonial administrator and writer. The conflict involved the British, Ngāpuhi and other Māori iwi of the northern North Island. Its opening shots marked the beginning of the wider North Island conflicts that are often referred to as the New Zealand Wars. The Stories of Ruapekapeka, a documentary highlighting Northland's most infamous armed conflict, is hosted by Mihingarangi Forbes, and was made alongside Great Southern Television with funding from NZ on Air. Read more Te Ruapekapeka In January 1846 the British began shelling a new Māori fortification at Te Ruapekapeka. In the middle of nowhere in Northland, chief Te Ruki Kawiti devised a plan to fight back. Sep 12, 2021 · NZ Wars: The Stories of Ruapekapeka | Documentary | RNZ RNZ 224K subscribers Subscribe Mar 3, 2009 · Some Māori who feared the loss of their land or cultural identity took up arms against the European newcomers. The final assault on the pā took place in January 1846. The Northern War was in part a reaction to the colonial government’s increasing control over Māori affairs. Land confiscations to punish iwi that fought against the Crown left a legacy of grievance. From his T o Northland Māori the Battle of Ruapekapeka isn’t relegated to a distant past. Despite the growing influence of foreign traders, missionaries The Battle of Te Ruapekapeka R uapekapeka was the site of the last battle of the Northern War, where about 400 Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Hine warriors stood against a combined British force of 1600. His masterpiece was Ruapekapeka, a state of the art pā with underground tunnels, deep trenches and artillery bunkers. You can still see the remains of its earthworks today. He is remembered as one of the most complex and colourful characters in the history of New Zealand politics. The inter-iwi Musket Wars were brutal and protracted, killing perhaps 20,000 people 1 and displacing countless others. They fought because Great Britain tried to impose an unacceptable version of the Queen’s sovereignty upon them. The Battle of Ruapekapeka Pā marked the end of the Flagstaff War. Te Ruapekapeka Ruapekapeka was the site of the last battle of the Northern War, where 400 Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Hine warriors stood against a British force of 1600. It was an armed response to the Treaty of Waitangi, seeking to prevent the erosion of Maori mana. He and Hōne Heke successfully fought the British in the Flagstaff War in 1845–46. Kawiti himself was inside, but most of the warriors were in the area behind the pā. He had arranged to join Kawiti when the soldiers began their attack, but the British sought to stop this from happening. At a time when British military technology led the world, this Māori reaction to the threat of artillery bombardment represents an ingenious indigenous response to European 175th commemorations for the Battle of Te Ruapekapeka. 1 “1000 men were occupied a full month in advancing 15 miles and in getting possession of a pah from which the enemy escaped at the last moment, and escaped with the satisfaction to him of a drawn battle. He was born in the north of New Oct 4, 2024 · Te Ruki Kawiti (1770s – 5 May 1854) was a prominent Māori rangatira (chief). Feb 4, 2025 · The war itself, and specifically the Battle of Ruapekapeka, played a key role in shaping New Zealand’s future, as the ongoing conflicts led to the establishment of more formalized systems of government, law, and settlement that would have profound implications for Māori and European relations. A Russian soldier depicted using the Congreve rocket The Congreve rocket was a type of rocket artillery designed by British And this occupation and colonisation had major effects on the subsequent evolution of plants, animals and land forms. The Battle of Ruapekapeka took place from late December 1845 to mid-January 1846 between British forces, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Henry Despard, and T he British Government’s policies to do with New Zealand changed in the late 1830s. Governor Grey himself was present during the bombardment, having traveled from Auckland. Above the fighters, Polish Congreve rockets can be seen exploding. Go back over a hundred 70 years and you would have seen one of the most incredible structures built anywhere, anytime in New Zealand’s thousand year history. Debate soon raged as to whether the fortress had been deliberately abandoned or captured. The British Government were in need of any kind of victory at all, and so Despard’s version of events was perpetuated. Though strongly constructed, Ruapekapeka’s hillside location exposed it to deadly British Artillery fire. From a Māori point-of-view 1846 was not very long ago. After the Northern War The Northern War drew to a close after the Battle of Ruapekapeka and Despard was sent to New South Wales. Before 1840 (when New Zealand officially became part of the British Empire) Ngāpuhi had dominion over northern New Zealand. While Heke was engaged at Te Ahuahu, Kawiti and Pene Taui continued the work at Ōhaeawai. He was born in the north of New Zealand into the Ngāti Hine hapu, one of the subtribes of the Ngāpuhi. In December 1845, just five The Stories of Ruapekapeka, a documentary highlighting Northland's most infamous armed conflict, is hosted by RNZ's Māori Issues Correspondent Mihingarangi Forbes, and was made alongside Great Southern Television with funding from NZ on Air. May 25, 2023 · As relations between Māori and Pākehā sour in the years after the Treaty of Waitangi, Hone Heke makes his famous attacks on the flagstaff at Kororāreka/Russell in 1845. Oct 26, 2017 · Ruapekapeka Trust member Peeni Henare talks about the Battle at Ruapekapeka, why the location was picked, the design of the Pa and the loss of British and Maori lives. A force of around 1300 British troops and 400 Māori began to advance on Ruapekapeka in early December 1845. Our warriors built a pā (fortification), cleverly adapted to the armaments of European warfare. Members of Te 11 January 1846 The British Army next attacked the Māori Pā at Ruapekapeka. The warriors built a pā (fortification), which was cleverly adapted to the methods and armaments of European warfare. The Pā however was largely empty, with Māori having already retreated out the back of the fortification. The old site just south of Kawakawa is a special place for one 19-year-old. The British were attempting to suppress the Ruapekapeka Ruapekapeka was the site of the last battle of the Northern War, where about 400 Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Hine warriors stood against a combined British force of 1600. Many on the British side also realised how difficult it would be to keep fighting. 1 To put it in perspective, more New Zealanders were killed during the Musket Wars than during World War One. Kawiti and Heke did not suffer an outright defeat, however the Flagstaff War impacted on the Ngāpuhi - in the disruption to agriculture and in the presence of British forces who brought with them disease and social disruption. When Sir George Grey assumed the Governorship and made peace overtures, Kawiti was conciliatory but Heke preferred to fight. NZ Wars: The Stories of Ruapekapeka - the award-winning documentary highlighting Northland's most infamous armed conflict. The battle of Ruapekapeka was fought between northern Māori and the British Army during January, 1846, with the British assaulting the Pā on 11 January 1846. The third epic chapter in the award-winning NZ Wars He built Ruapekapeka pa (the “Bat's Nest”), which was a revelation of the Maori genius for adapting their traditional military engineering to the standards of European warfare. Heke and Kawiti had been working to strengthen the defences, expecting another attack. According to the official despatches, the rebels had been thoroughly beaten and dispersed. In the months that followed, Grey took on a magnanimous persona, announcing pardons and arguing against the confiscation of lands. M āori of the Ngāpuhi iwi went to war with the colonial government of New Zealand in 1845. Hōne Heke chopping down the British flag is an enduring image in New Zealand history. The Stories of Ruapekapeka. ” The Jan 7, 2021 · 175th commemorations for the Battle of Te Ruapekapeka. From Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa: Plan of Ruapekapeka. The histories are well remembered, and many Ngāpuhi today can recount stories of their own ancestors during the Northern War. “ anyone to read Despard Ruapekapeka Pā is one of New Zealand's most significant historic battlefields, where you can walk through the innovative fortifications built by Te Ruki Kawiti in 1845. The Māori warriors were fighting for their rights guaranteed under Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi). The British were attempting to suppress the “natives” rebelling The various conflicts of the New Zealand wars span a considerable period, and the causes and outcomes differ widely. Site of Ruapekapeka Pa, now part of historic and scenic reserve. The Prequel Video or Waitiangi video (A version of the story, Well Pretty Much. The site showcases sophisticated Māori military engineering including massive earthworks and an underground tunnel network, all designed to counter British artillery during the final battle of the Northern War in January 1846. British Military response (April 1845): Fitzroy wrote to the officials of New South Wales and asked for military support. The Treaty of Waitangi is considered New Zealand’s founding document. There were certainly muskets and bayonets, probably double-barrelled shotguns, and perhaps pistols, swords, and traditional hand-held weapons such as patu . T e Ruki Kawiti was a distinguished leader and great fighting chief of the Ngāti Hine hapu. Fighting continued in the bush behind the pā for several hours as Kawiti tried to lure the British into an ambush. Jan 17, 2015 · Ruapekapeka pā occupied by British and Māori forces The battle at Ruapekapeka (‘the bats’ nest’), a sophisticated pā built by the Ngāpuhi chief Kawiti, ended the Northern War. The 5. Journalist Mihingarangi Forbes visits Jun 21, 2018 · Over the three days, we met ancient trees, ate incredible meals, and visited the Treaty Grounds and Ruapekapeka Pa. A … The Battle of Ruapekapeka Pā marked the end of the Flagstaff War. Its remains can still be seen today. Ruapekapeka Pā Ruapekapeka Pā, based about 20km southeast of Kawakawa, was the site of a historic battle in 1846. The story goes that Bridie’s parents were at the pā when the "farmer' was turning over a nearby "paddock" with his ploug… The rongomai seal was gifted to Maihi Paraone Kawiti son and heir to Te Ruki Kawiti. Nene went to Auckland to tell the governor that peace had been won; with Nene insisting that the British accept the terms of Kawiti and Heke that they were to be unconditionally pardoned for their rebellion. Ruapekapeka may have been a tactical victory for the British, but many consider the outcome a draw. The Northern war ended with the loss of Ruapekapeka, with Hone Heke Pokai and Te Ruki Kawati persuaded to sue for peace by Tamati Dec 1, 2017 · The Battle of Ruapekapeka is a tale of unanswered questions but 172 years on, what's clear is the importance of the Northern Wars and the impact they still have in Northland today. Nov 23, 2024 · Ruapekapeka pā. The Stories of Ruapekapeka: Directed by Simon Bennett. Ngāpuhi resentment manifested itself most dramatically in July 1844 when the highly symbolic flagstaff above Kororāreka was felled. Day One - Te Rapunga - Kawiti Marae, Waiomio, Te Taitokerau. After 1846 the Crown turned its back on the north, which was left to become a backwater as the rest of the New Zealand economy boomed The Flagstaff War with the capture of Ruapekapeka was a significant conflict that took place during the early colonization of New Zealand by the British. The British sought to establish control over the region, leading to clashes with the Māori who vigorously defended their Ruapekapeka pā occupied by British and Māori forces The battle at Ruapekapeka (‘the bats’ nest’), a sophisticated pā built by the Ngāpuhi chief Kawiti, ended the Northern War. May 13, 2024 · Ruapekapeka, a pā 20 kilometers southeast of Kawakawa in New Zealand’s Northland region, is one of the largest and most complex pā in New Zealand; Ngapuhi created it specifically to counter the guns of British troops. Ngāpuhi were the first to obtain a large number of muskets, which they put to good use against their enemies of old. To Heke and Kawiti, the thought of ceding land to the British was utterly unacceptable. It was the start of three days of Despard and Grey announced that Ruapekapeka had been “taken by assault” and that the outcome was a “brilliant success” for the British. On 10 January 1846, the Ruapekapeka, with its intricate series of underground shelters, which were linked by tunnels and encircled by fortifications, demonstrates the sophistication of Māori military techniques. The shift was necessitated by private interests in Britain and in France, who were planning to buy up Māori land and establish colonies of settlers. New zealand defence landscape stock images, royalty-free photos and pictures Jun 9, 2025 · Our latest “Document of the Week” was chosen by our Senior Curator, Mary Wills. The pā was the brainchild of Te Ruki Kawiti, who adapted traditional pā designs to address Differential access to muskets altered the balance of power between different iwi with dramatic consequences. Oct 26, 2017 · We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. From the last days of 1845, a British force of about 1300 soldiers, sailors, marines and militia, with 400 Māori allies, confronted a well-fortified pā occupied by about 500 fighters led by the chiefs Kawiti and Hōne Heke (who arrived with reinforcements in early January). After hauling 30 tonnes of artillery and supplies over nearly 30 km of rugged country, the British force assembled before Ruapekapeka – ‘the bat’s nest’. ⸻ 🏰 Ruapekapeka Pā: Ahead of Its Time Constructed in late 1845, Ruapekapeka was a masterpiece of indigenous engineering, hidden deep in dense bush. The Battle of Ruapekapeka was an engagement that took place from late-December 1845 to mid-January 1846 between British forces, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Henry Despard, and Māori warriors of the Ngāpuhi iwi (tribe), led by Hōne Heke and Te Ruki Kawiti, during the Flagstaff War in the Bay of Islands region of New Zealand. Jul 15, 2021 · In December 1845, the British arrived at Ruapekapeka Pa. The earthworks can still be seen. The inconclusive outcome at Ruapekapeka offered both sides a way out. Dec 30, 2023 · Ruapekapeka (bats nest), a pā 20 kilometres (12 mi) southeast of Kawakawa in the Northland Region of New Zealand, is one of the largest and most complex pā in New Zealand, it specifically to counter the cannon of British forces. After the British attack, the Māori defenders were persuaded to sue for peace, which they did. 5 years after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, disagreement over its interpretation turned into an armed uprising. On 11 January, when Māori scouts signalled that it was empty, troops rushed into the pā. The first major conflict was the war in the north, precipitated when Hōne Heke cut down the flagpole at Russell as a protest against the effects of British colonisation. About 12 British and up to 20 Māori were killed. . The earliest conflicts in the 1840s happened at a time when Māori were still the predominant power, but by the 1860s settler numbers and resources were much greater. A fter the Battle of Ruapekapeka, nobody wanted the fighting to continue. This meant that the interior was exposed to British artillery from that Jun 30, 2025 · He famously led an assault on Puketutu Pā in May 1845 and later fortified Ruapekapeka Pā—a name meaning “The Bat’s Nest”—a site that would go down in history. For Governor George Grey it was important to bring the war to a rapid conclusion to reverse the flight of settlers from Auckland. They expected kāwanatanga to apply to the pākehā settlers, traders and land agents, but that the chiefs would look after their own people as they always had. Oct 25, 2017 · The battle of Ruapekapeka, fought in January 1846, was the final engagement in the war that Britain lost, as James Belich famously described it. After his initial Oct 5, 2025 · The historic event brought together performers from the descendants of Ruapekapeka, the Waikato Wars: Ōrākau, Rangiriri, Te Tai Rāwhiti: Waerenga-a-Hika, and 200 kaihaka from Te Whakatōhea ranging in ages from 4 years old to the oldest performer being 68. Kioda, I’m Mahinarangi Forbes. Ruapekapeka (31st December 1845-11th January 1846) Once again British troops found themselves dragging heavy artillery through the New Zealand bush, this time towards Ruapekapeka. New Zealand Wars by Danny Keenan In the 1840s and 1860s conflict over sovereignty and land led to battles between government forces and some iwi Māori. The last battle in this war was fought at Ruapekapeka. It is a letter, written in March 1845, from the Bishop of New Zealand to the Secretary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts (SPG). Built by Te Ruki Kawiti, it housed several hundred Māori fighters that held the pā under British artillery fire for over a week before the palisades were partialyl breached on 10 January 1846. He had gifted the flagpole so that the flag of the United Tribes could be flown, but following the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi this was replaced by the Union Jack, to Heke’s displeasure. They were faced with a significant challenge from the Maori and, despite the fact that they eventually managed to break through the defences, the Maoris escaped. The concept of tapu was central to Māori life. Heke’s fourth attack upon the flagstaff was to have dire consequences for the town of Kororārkea, and was the event, which marked the beginning of the Northern War. This chapter covers the lead-up to the attack and in particular the extensive peace negotiations conducted by Heke and Kawiti with Governors FitzRoy and Grey. Mar 31, 2011 · A Maori Tohunga, Te Ruki Kawiti, was a mastermind of leadership and tactical warfare. View on map NZ Wars - The Stories of Ruapekapeka - Five years after the Treaty of Waitangi's signing, tension between British and Māori was at boiling point. The battle in 1845/6 was the culmination of the War of the North, when Maori stood against the might of the British Empire. Three more times, in January and ImageThe battle of Ruapekapeka Pā was the final engagement of the Northern War of 1845–46. … Unfortunately we don’t have a great deal of specific information about the small arms in use on Sunday 11 January, when the soldiers entered the pā . Contents Waka huia promo te raumoa kawiti direct descendent of te ruki kawiti Ruapekapeka site of Kawitis p Roadside Stories Treaty of Waitangi Battle of Kororreka Battle of the sticks The attack on Hekes P at Puketutu Battle of Te Fourteen kilometres south east of Kawakawa, Ruapekapeka is one of the largest and most complex Maori pā in New Zealand. Listen to a Roadside Story about Kawiti's pā. Join us for the stories of Rua Pika Pika. Heke and Kawiti had escaped with their forces largely intact, and the terms of Jan 10, 2016 · In Northland, 500 people have attended a dawn service to remember the battle of Ruapekapeka Pa. The three numbered Maori wars were merely periods of exceptional activity and crisis in a running struggle as Europeans, mostly British, wrested the land from the natives: the intelligent, brave and warlike Maoris. Jun 11, 2012 · This plan of the pā of Ngāpuhi leader Te Ruki Kawiti at Te Ruapekapeka was based on sketches made by military officers after the battle to document the extent and nature of the defences. For Governor George Grey it was Mar 15, 2025 · Hone Heke cuts down the flagpole (March 1845): Because of the consequences of the colonisation after signing the Treaty, Hone Heke showed his outrage by cutting down the British flags. T he Battle of Te Ruapekapeka was the last of a series of clashes collectively known as The Northern War (1845-6). THE STORIES OF RUAPEKAPEKATHE STORIES OF RUAPEKA | THE STORIES OF RUAPEKAPEKA | By Get it off your chest Aotearoa | story to tell. Heke and Kawiti had escaped with their forces largely intact, and the terms of the subsequent peace settlement suggest that they had won a strategic victory. The Northern War, fought in the Bay of Islands in 1845-46, was the first serious challenge to the Crown in the years after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. The British did not win a glorious battle as reported in the Times of London in Through both tangata and whenua we understand the conflicts and their consequences on thirty years of research, the Atlas of the New Zealand Wars reveals a complex series of challenges and misunderstandings, skirmishes and negotiations, battles and wars that have profoundly shaped the lives of Maori and Pakeha on these islands ever since. During the 1860s, his designs revolutionised the New Zealand Wars and were replicated in fortifications throughout the nation Shortly after Ruapekapeka, Heke and Kawiti met their principal Māori opponent, the loyalist chief, Tāmati Wāka Nene, and agreed upon peace. Section 1: Introduction about Northern Wars Section 2: How this affects or has impacted the lifestyle of Māori Section 3: How it affects Māori and us in the future Section 4: Key differences in the Treaty, linking it back to the Treaty Bibliography: Websites/Resources used Northern Land Wars The New Zealand land wars had begun in 1845, following the signing of the Treaty. There were almost no substantial buildings behind its twin palisades, instead, shelter consisted of a series of tunnels, pits and bomb-proof bunkers. [1] Hōne Heke fought with Very soon after 1840, it became apparent to Northern Māori that British sovereignty undermined Māori mana . 3km stretch of road, from State Highway 1 to Ruapekapeka Pā, near Kawakawa in the Far North, was blessed by hapū representatives on Friday. Eventually, after some time, a peace was forged between the two sides. Ruapekapeka may have been a tactical victory for the British, but many consider the outcome a draw. View on map The lead up B efore Ruapekapeka, Hōne Heke made a serious attempt to negotiate peace. After intense debate, the Colonial Office decided that the New Zealand’s sovereign independence ought to be transferred to Britain. From about 1862 British troops began arriving in much greater number, summoned by Governor George Grey for his Nov 19, 2020 · Ruapekapeka Built by Kawiti in 1845, the pa Ruapekapeka was an extraordinary feat of architecture. The ships are the Hazard, the Victoria and the Matilda. [1] The conflict is best remembered for the actions of Hone Heke who challenged the authority of the British by cutting down the flagstaff on Flagstaff Hill (Maiki Hill) at Kororareka, now Te Ruki Kawiti far right, with his nephew Hōne Heke and Heke's wife Hariata Te Ruki Kawiti (1770s – 5 May 1854) was a prominent Māori rangatira (chief). However, Governor Fitzroy demanded the forfeiture of land to “atone” for the loss of Kororāreka. Jun 11, 2012 · In the first episode, Belich argued that the battle of Ruapekapeka was not a glorious victory for the British, but a strategic defeat – and that the peace that followed the Northern War gave Ngāpuhi leader Heke Hōne Pōkai and his followers much of what they had fought for. Ruapekapeka is the best preserved of all the New Zealand Wars sites, a tangible Ruapekapeka pa - ruins of a maori fortress in New Zealand Pohutukawa trees tower over an old bunker at Fletcher Bay in the remote, secluded far north of the Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand. The missionary Richard Taylor recorded the view of Chief Pana-kareao of Te Rarawa: “He thought the shadow of the land would go to the Queen and the substance remain with them but now he fears the substance of it will go to them and the shadow only be [the Māori] portion. G eorge Grey was the newly-appointed Governor of New Zealand during the Battle of Ruapekapeka. Many things were tapu, for example, to touch the head of a chief was a terrible breach. Because to him, the British flag was Chapter 6: Ruapekapeka: September 1845 – February 1846 The final stage of the British campaign in the Northern War was the attack on Kawiti’s fortress pa, Ruapekapeka. jpg (682 × 506 pixels, file size: 78 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File information Structured data Ruapekapeka may not have been the first pā to utilise trenches or to have strong palisades, but the combination of design innovations made it one of the most effective against assault by muskets and heavy artillery. Read more T he pā at Ōhaeawai, belonging to Heke’s ally Pene Taui, was even stronger than the pā, which the British had failed to take six weeks prior. NZ Wars - The Stories of Ruapekapeka - Five years after the Treaty of Waitangi's signing, tension between British and Māori was at boiling point. Journalist Mihingarangi Forbes visits Māori Fusion artist Riqi Harawira has released a music video which draws on footage from NZ Wars: The Stories of Ruapekapeka and is funded by Te Māngai Pāho. Oct 14, 2009 · Plan_of_ruapekapeka_pa. These conflicting expectations, created or exacerbated by the different versions of Te Tiriti, ultimately caused the Northern War. But they were outnumbered four to one, with no heavy artillery. Great great grandchildren of those who fought in the battle are still alive, only four generations removed from the action. May 7, 2012 · In July 1844 Ngāpuhi chief Hōne Heke Pōkai organised the felling of the flagpole above Kororāreka (later Russell) in a protest about unfulfilled promises of British colonisation. Jul 23, 2022 · The inconclusive outcome at Ruapekapeka offered both sides a way out. It is known as one of the largest and most complex forts ever built by Māori. The pā was the brainchild of Te Ruki Kawiti, who adapted traditional pā designs to address Te Ruki Kawiti (1770s – 5 May 1854) was a prominent Māori rangatira (chief). ) follow this link. A ruthless and ambitious man, Grey served his second term as Governor of New Zealand during the Land Wars of the 1860s, and again as Premier in the late 1870s. These Hōne Wiremu Heke Pōkai (c. [2] He played a key role in the colonisation of New Zealand, and both the purchase and annexation Portrait of William Congreve with a background scene of rocket fire during the British bombardment of Copenhagen, painted by James Lonsdale Battle of Grochów 1831, painting of Bogdan Willewalde ca. The conflict involved the British, the Ngāpuhi, as well as other Māori iwi (tribes) of the northern North Island. The Stories of Ruapekapeka, a documentary highlighting Northland's most infamous armed conflict, is hosted by RNZ's Māori Issues Correspondent Mihingarangi Forbes, and was made alongside Great Southern Television with funding from NZ on Air. Oct 7, 2024 · The Battle of Ruapekapeka Pā marked the end of the Flagstaff War. Artillery fire was a real problem because the pā sloped downwards to the west and the north. Site Overview It is difficult to overstate the significance of Ruapekapeka Pa and Battlefield. The key to avoiding offence was to ensure that tapu was respected. Te Waka Huia covered the 3 day commemorations of the final battle Artefacts The late Bert Timperley (Ngati Hine) was a man who lived on the Ruapekapeka Battlefield in what was the old school. After their experience at Ōhaeawai the British were wary about attacking the pā directly. [49] May 15, 2021 · Sunday, 10 January 2021 marked 175 years to the day since the Battle of Ruapekapeka ended. The imposition of customs duties and shipping levies increased prices and deprived Māori of sources of revenue. Ruapekapeka was a stunning example of an early gunfighters’ pa, built by Hone Heke’s ally Kawiti in December 1845 and attacked by the British for ten days in January 1846. During the lead up to the Battle of Ruapekapeka, Heke remained at Hikurangi tending food crops. In New Zealand, as an early geographer put it, ‘a land without people waited for a people without land’. Ruapekapeka is a historic Māori fort located about 20 kilometers (12 miles) southeast of Kawakawa in the Northland Region of New Zealand. History of Ruapekapeka Pa Ruapekapeka Pa was the site of one of the last military clashes between British troops and Māori tribes during the Great Northern War, a conflict Nov 8, 2017 · The battle of Ruapekapeka, fought in January 1846, was the final engagement in the war that Britain lost, as James Belich famously described it. The Battle of Ruapekapeka took place from late December 1845 to mid-January 1846 between British forces, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Henry Despard, and Māori warriors of the Ngāpuhi iwi (tribe), led by Hōne Heke and Te Ruki Kawiti, during the Flagstaff War in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. New rules and regulations cost Māori in the Bay of Islands trade and other economic opportunities. The largest campaign was the clash between the Kīngitanga and the Crown. Taken by the British on Jan 11th, 1846. nbqlmk zdox wzzhn tlkxwc dnrlqxa kkc lkvlnn mhpfc uwphbod vcfj pdm boz krpci usu uhe