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Period: to
Waikato Wars
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Meremere Battle
The beginning of the Waikato Wars. This conflict would last until November Before Kingtitanga forces retreated, -
Rangiriri Battle
With their fortifications incomplete and manpower severely reduced by the fighting at Meremere, Kingitanga forces could not retain Rangiriri. British artillery was instrumental in the capture of the pa. -
Ngaruawahia
When the King's capital was captured, Grey offered peace on condition that all land and arms be surrendered. These terms were rejected and the Kingitanga forces fell back to their third line of defence, which protected their key agricultural area at Rangiaowhia, near Te Awamutu. -
Rangiaowhia
The burning of the undefended village at Rangiaowhia, with heavy loss of life, left a legacy of bitterness and suspicion. Women and children who had been sent there to escape the worst areas of fighting were among the victims. -
Orakau
In what is immortalised as 'Rewi's last stand', Rewi Maniapoto and Kingitanga forces withstood five British assaults. With little ammunition and water left, they then made a daring daytime escape. Half of Rewi's warriors made it beyond the aukati, the boundary between Crown and Maori territory in the rugged Ngati Maniapoto area. Others were not so lucky. In the surrounding area the British hunted down and killed many of those who escaped, including women and the wounded.
This was the last act of -
Gate Pa
At Gate pa, Tauranga, the British army suffered a humiliating defeat under Ngai Te Rangi. -
Te Ranga
Gate pa was avenged in June when Ngai Te Rangi warriors were caught in the open at Te Ranga and overwhelmed, thus ending the fighting in the Bay of Plenty.
Wiremu Tamihana made a separate peace in May 1865. The majority of the Kingitanga forces of Waikato–Maniapoto did not and instead withdrew to Tokangamutu (Te Kuiti). Behind this aukati the King movement remained undefeated and isolated.
