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The Wairau Incident
Settlers in Nelson send surveyors to the disuted Wairau Valley. Te Rauaparaha travels south to support the Rangihaeta. Pegs are pulled up and huts burnt down. Magistrate HenryThompson issues a warrant for his arrest. Wakefield leads settlers from Nelson attermpt to arrest Te Rauparaha. In the first fight over land 22 are killed, 17 of whom are executed in utu by Rangihaeta for the death of his wife.
In the investigation that follows Governor Fitzroy blames the settlers for provoking the attack. -
Rangihaeta occupies Hutt Valley
Ngati Mutunga had abandonded the area and invaded the Chathams. In defiance of the Governor who claimed the land, Rangihaeta occupies upper Valley because The NZ Co. has still not paid compensation awarded by negotiator George Clark. -
Heke cuts down flagpole for first time.
Heke unhappy over changes since 1840 decides to cut down the flagpole he gifted to the Governor. He wants to bring back the europeans and their trade that he had expected to make him powerful. -
Period: to
The Northern War
Hekes War. -
Fitzroy arrive in the Bay of Islands
Fitroy brings troops to the Bay to confront the threat presented by Heke. -
Tamati Waka Nene intercedes
Nene asks Fitzroy to remove the troops to try to defuse the situation. The Governor agrees and the trrops retutn to Auckland. -
Heke attacks the flagpole again.
With no response from the Governor Heke decides to prove his point and attack the flagpole again. -
Reward offered
A 100 pound reward is posted for Hekes capture. A major insult to his Mana. -
Heke attacks the flagpole (3rd time)
In defiance of the reward Heke shows the Governor has no power over him. After this incident, a guards outpost is established. -
Kororareka is sacked - Northern War begins
Angered at the loss of mana and trade Hone Heke attacks the flagpole, a symbol of British power. At the 4th attempt fighting breaks out and Kororareka is sacked and destroyed. Settlers had enough time to flee to ships and some even returned during the looting to retrieve their possessions. Most then decamped to Auckland. -
Militia established
The Legislative Council creates local Milita to support Imperial troops. -
Imperial Troops return to the Bay of Islands
450 Imperial troops arrive to re-establish order. Heke and Kawiti have retreated to the inland areas awaiting the repsonse. -
Pomare attacked.
In the confusion Pomare's Pa is attacked by the Army and he surrenders. Pomare is not involved in the uprising and he is later compensated. -
Puketutu Pa
A force of 460 regulars volunteers and sailors attack the Pa. Kawaiti is in fact lying outside the palisade and attacks them from the side while a diversion by Heke also confused matters. Colonel Hulme later claimed to have inflicted heavy losses on both Heke and Kawiti. In fact no Māori appear to have been injured. A recurring theme over the next 20 years. -
Battle of Te Ahuahu
Fought between different Nga Puhi Hapu. No British troops were involved. Tamati Waka Nene attacked Hekes force and he was seriously wounded. Henry Williams tried to convince him to stop the fighting but he refused. Kawait would continue the war in Hekes absence. -
Battle of Ohaewai Pa
Colonel Despard bombards the Pa for 6 days. including firing 24 and 32 pound guns. He has 615 men. Kawiti has built a modern pa and it withstands the barrage. With only 100 men he easily defeats the storming party. -
Hutt Valley & Wanganui Wars
Grey moved his troops south to settle the issue of the Hutt Valley.
Rangihaeta contested the rights of local Maori to sell to Pakeha as he maintained his own Mana remained over the area. Grey expelled Maori from Wellington before sending trrops to defend the Hutt Valley. Several forts were built to defend the area. -
Period: to
The Wellington / Hutt Valley War
Wars fought to free up land for Settlers, in disputed areas in and around Wellington. -
Ruapekapeka
Kawaiti builds another modern Pa deep in the forest. It takes Colonel Despard several weeks to recah the site. Despard attacked the Pa after a two week bombardment. The attack on a Sunday morning found only Kawaiti and a rearguard. Kawiti and his army escaped. Fitzroy and Despard claimed a great (although empty) victory. -
End of the Northern War
The war would now wind down with no further fighting. Heke had made his point and reestablished his mana, although the Government did not return to the North and the new Governor preferred to deal with the issues in Wellington. There were some important aspects of this war. Kawiti's 'Modern' Pa were able to defy both muskets and cannon. The British did not win any of the battles. They did not punish Māori for the war. -
Grey arrives in Wellington
He brings Imperial troops with him to deal with land issues in Wellington and the Hutt Valley. -
Troops drive Maori from Hutt Valley
Grey decides to prove a point about who is in charge and British troops arrive to drive Māori off their land. -
Martial Law declared in Wellington
The Governor issues a proclamation giving him new powers to deal with the uprising. -
Gillespie Family Attacked
Andrew Gillespie and his young son were attacked and killed by Ngāti Rangatahi. The Gillespies had been attempting to farm some of the land from which Ngāti Rangatahi had been recently evicted. Settlers in outlying areas moved into town as Wellington prepared for war. -
Boulcotts Farm attacked
Maori approach from the coast and over the Hutt hils. The Garrison is attacked by Te Mamku. There are rumours of an impending attack on Wellington. The 'brave' bugler boy who is killed becomes a symbol for the settlers. Although aged 22, printed images show him as young teen being attacked by a monstrous Warrior. -
Te Rauaparah arrested
Grey arrests Te Rauaparaha. He has nothing to do with Te Rangiahetas rebellion but this show of force enhances Greys reputation. The old chief is held without charge for a year. -
Pauatahanui attacked
Te Rangihaeta initially withdraws to his stronghold, but abandons his Pa, at Pauatahanui and retreats towards the Manawatu Fighting a short battle at Battle Hill. he flees into the Manawatu and this brings an end to the fighting.
