Tour of NZ Maori War battlesites and Monuments - Waikato Region
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Rewi Maniapoto |
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Rewi Maniapoto reserve - front2 - 21 sept04.jpg |
Rewi Maniapoto Reserve |
Other views of this historical reserve
Rewi Maniapoto Reserve - Kihikihi
Rewi Maniapoto Reserve - Kihikihi - Information Panel
ORAKAU At the end of March 1864 Maori forces could be seen from a British out-post at Kihikihi, fortifying a low hill at Orakau, south-east of Te Awamutu. The ensuing battle was to become the best known of all incidents of the New Zealand Wars. Maori defenders of Orakau numbered approximately 300, as many as a third of them women . The largest contingents were from Tuhoe, Ngati Raukawa and Ngati Maniapoto; other tribes were mostly from the Waikato and the East Coast. Overall command was in the hands of Ngati Maniapoto chief Rewi Maniapoto. Opposing them, the British command was able to draw on the large force encamped at Te Awamutu and other fortified posts of the district. Troops were quickly marched out to attack before the pa was completed. The first assault was by the Forest Rangers and the 18th Royal Irish on the morning of 31st March. Over the next two days the garrison turned back all attacks, but without food, water and ammunition they could not continue the fight. Early in the afternoon of 2 April an appeal for surrender was met with the famous words of defiance: 'Ka whatai tonu matuo, ake ake ake!' Shortly after, the pa garrison broke through the British lines, survivors making their way south of the Puniu River. It was at this point that Rewi's force suffered many of its casualties, as Colonial Defence Force and Royal Artillery troopers an them down in a rare opportunity for cavalry in the New Zealand Wars. Maori suffered about 80 dead, which was considerable proportion of the total fighting strength. British losses were 17 dead and 51 wounded. Orakau was the last battle of the Waikato Campaign. ==================================================
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Jeff Pyle - New Zealand
Jeff Pyle - email
JEFF PYLE - NEW ZELAND - website
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