-
Period: to
The Northern War
Many of the Māori communities had been feeding and protecting the settlers of Auckland and during the Northern War of 1845-46, they had pledged to defend the township from possible attack. However, the Crown accused them of plotting to massacre these very same Pākehā. This was a desperate lie, attempting to justify the unjustifiable. -
The start of the Waikato War
The Crown voluntary started a war of conquest and invasion on the Kīngitanga (Māori King movement) and those who supported or those who were kin from the further north, around the shores of Manukau Harbour, at Ihumātao, Māngere and elsewhere. -
Ultimatum from the Crown
The ultimatum dated July the 9th 1863 delivered to the people of Ihumātao and other settlements stating that they are required to take an oath of allegiance to Queen Victoria or immediately retire to the Waikato. -
Ultimatum was delivered to Ihumātao
Many of the people who received this notice understood it as an order to leave, or others feared if they took the oath they would be forced to fight for the Crown against their own. Many left for the Waikato and had their land seized from them by the Crown. -
The invasion of Waikato has begun
The Mangatāwhiri River was crossed by British troops, the people who were driven from their homes at Ihumātao and elsewhere fought alongside their Waikato whanaunga to defend the Kīngitanga. The Māori were severely outnumbered against on of the world’s greatest military powers. -
1100 acres of land was confiscated at Ihumātao
The Crown was funding its war of conquest by seizing Māori lands to by planting military settlers on some of the land to consolidate its control and selling the remainder for huge profits. 1.2 million acres of land was confiscated. An area known as the Ōruarangi block was granted to Gavin Wallace in 1867. -
‘a grave injustice was done’
The royal commission found ‘a grave injustice was done’ to the South Auckland Māori ‘by forcing them into the position of rebels and afterwards confiscating their lands’. -
The Waitangi Tribunal conclusion
The Waitangi Tribunal came to a conclusion that ‘all sources agree that the Tainui people…never rebelled but were attacked by British troops in direct violation of Article II of the Treaty of Waitangi’. -
The Crown apologised
The Crown apologises to Tainui for ‘the loss of lives because of the hostilities arising from its invasion’ and ‘the devastation of property and life’. The 1100 acres that was confiscated at Ihumātao, had 260 acres eventually restored. Māori and was deemed not to have engaged in, aided or abetted acts of ‘rebellion’ against the Crown. -
Joint purchased
The Manukau City Council, Auckland Regional Council, the Department of Conservation and the Lottery Grants Board jointly purchased 100-hectars from several owners and two years later the Ōtuataua Stonefields Historic Reserve was officially opened. -
Sold to Fletcher Residential Ltd
The land adjacent to the Ōtuataua Stonefields reserve remained in Wallace family ownership until it was sold to Fletcher Residential Ltd. Fletcher residential rezoned it as a special housing area. The area is the focus for current efforts by SOUL (Save Our Unique Landscape) to prevent 480 houses being constructed on the site.