The New Zealand Wars

Here are a few notes from classic works on the New Zealand Wars for reference in relation to Lecture 1.

Sources for Discussion of the New Zealand Wars

James Belich, The New Zealand Wars, 1986—"a revisionist study" based on primary research in depth and on critical reading of secondary works

James Cowan, The New Zealand Wars and the Pioneering Period, 1922-3—grand narrative designed as "a necessary foundation for the larger patriotism"

Keith Sinclair, A History of New Zealand, 1959—synthesis, in context of a nationalist history

Campaigns of the New Zealand Wars (based on Belich)

CAMPAIGNS, dates, notable leaders. . . . Notable developments

NORTHERN WAR, 1845-46, Hone Heke and Kawiti, Govs. Grey and Fitzroy. . . . Cutting down the Union Jack at Kororareka; fighting at Puketutu and Te Ahuahu; importance of kupapa; the modern pa at Ohaeawai; Ruapekapeka taken; uneasy peace

TARANAKI WAR, 1860-61, Maj. Gen. T.S. Pratt, Gov. Brown. . . . Battle of Waireka; settler-British rift; Battle of Puketakauere; wasting of countryside; Pratt's sapping system vs. the modern pa; stalemate and peace

WAIKATO WAR, 1863-64, Gov. Grey, Lt. Gen. Duncan Cameron, Rewi. . . . Land pressures; invasion to break Kingite power; arrival of British regulars; insecurity of supply, Maori guerrilla tactics; Fighting at Meremere, Rangiriri, Paterangi, Orakau, and Te Ranga; King Movement survives the conflict

TITOKOWARU AND TE KOOTI, 1868, Kepa. . . . Te Kooti's guerrilla campaign and sack of Poverty Bay; Titoko's provocations; importance of Kepa's kupapa; mastery of modern pa and "brink of victory;" Ngatapa Campaign suppresses Te Kooti; strange abandonment of Tauranga-ika, Titoko's forces dispersed

Conclusions by Belich

Maori achievements: the "modern pa system" of defense; "a unique feat of resistance to nineteenth-century European expansion;" retaining land and autonomy.

Victorian interpretations of racial conflict: British superiority and the "expectation of victory;" when defeated, "the development of acceptable explanations for the disaster;" "stereotype of Maori military abilities;" suppression of narrative of Maori victories and abilities. "Maori culture and society survived the New Zealand Wars and their aftermath," because of "the limit their resistance imposed on British victory."

Historical Fiction

New Zealand novelist Maurice Shadbolt has treated the New Zealand wars in a trilogy comprising three novels--see Bibliography.)

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