Meremere Pa of 1863
After long preparations, the invasion of the Waikato began on 12 July 1863 when British troops crossed the Mangatawhiri River just North of Mercer. The river marked part of the boundary line (aukati) between the Auckland district and the southern area under the protection (mana) of the second Maori King - Tawhiao. Thus the crossing was a declaration of war.
Some 15,000 British troops on one side were pitted against perhaps at most 3,000 Maori. However the British attacking force was closer to 2,000 - it took the other 13,000 to hold the north and the armies supply lines.
At Meremere the Maori had constructed a gunfighter pa on the top of the hill, over looking the Waikato River.
In addition to assembling a land army, Governor Grey had acquired two steel-plated river gun-boats well-armed with heavy artillery: the Pioneer and the Avon. These vessels were supported by a fleet of smaller barges, boats and canoes (waka).
By 14 August under the command of Lieutenant-General Cameron (ex-Black Watch) troops had occupied an old pa at the confluence of the Whangamarino and Waikato Rivers and developed the Whangamarino Redoubt nearby. On 29 October two massive 40-pounder Armstrong guns were positioned here from the Pioneer and began to concertedly pound the Maori position of Meremere – some 2km to the south across the Whangamarino swamp.
Unlike his predecessor (General Chute) Cameron spurned the siege tactic of digging saps to gradually approach secure enemy positions. His plan instead was to weaken the Maori defences with cannon-fire - first from a redoubt at nearby Whangamarino, and then from gunboats on the Waikato River.
Then to mount an outflanking surprise attack on the the Pa from the rear (south). The gunboats Pioneer and Avon shelled the Pa as they steamed past Meremere on the 30th to land an attacking force just to the south.
All went to plan until the morning of Sunday 31st when the attacking troops stormed the pa - only to find it empty. Realizing that they were outgunned and surrounded, the Maori had deserted the pa the previous night.
The position had been taken without a British life being lost - consequently
Cameron was lauded by the press and the public. Victorious, he then turned his attentions to Rangiriri further south, expecting a similar result.
Opinion was that the “rebels” has witnessed such British military might and dominance and that Rangiriri would also fall without resistance - how fatefully wrong were both opinion and Cameron.
LOCATION:
On the eastern side of the Waikato River, 5km south of Mercer.
Turn off State Highway 1 into Meremere village at Springhill Road, turn left into Te Puea Ave, up the hill through the village, then right into Meremere Road, right again into Naho Street and park at the end of the street. The pa site is in front of you, a short walk up the slope - marked by a decrepit water tank.
See the video of my visit:
https://youtu.be/ikcT0rDjqRw
Meremere = Venus, the morning star
Mangatawhiri = manga: stream; tawhiri: waving - also the name of a native tree, the branches of which are used by Maori for waving as a demonstration of welcome
Mercer - after Captain Mercer of the Royal Artillery, killed at the Battle of Rangiriri 20/11/1863. The Maori name is Te Pania = the point
Whangamarino = peaceful stretch of water
Auckland - after George Eden (1784-1849), 2nd Baron Auckland, created 1st Earl of Auckland in 1838 during his term as Governor-General of India 1836-1841.
 |
| The pa today |
Some 15,000 British troops on one side were pitted against perhaps at most 3,000 Maori. However the British attacking force was closer to 2,000 - it took the other 13,000 to hold the north and the armies supply lines.
At Meremere the Maori had constructed a gunfighter pa on the top of the hill, over looking the Waikato River.
In addition to assembling a land army, Governor Grey had acquired two steel-plated river gun-boats well-armed with heavy artillery: the Pioneer and the Avon. These vessels were supported by a fleet of smaller barges, boats and canoes (waka).
By 14 August under the command of Lieutenant-General Cameron (ex-Black Watch) troops had occupied an old pa at the confluence of the Whangamarino and Waikato Rivers and developed the Whangamarino Redoubt nearby. On 29 October two massive 40-pounder Armstrong guns were positioned here from the Pioneer and began to concertedly pound the Maori position of Meremere – some 2km to the south across the Whangamarino swamp.
 |
| The Armstrongs in action |
Unlike his predecessor (General Chute) Cameron spurned the siege tactic of digging saps to gradually approach secure enemy positions. His plan instead was to weaken the Maori defences with cannon-fire - first from a redoubt at nearby Whangamarino, and then from gunboats on the Waikato River.
Then to mount an outflanking surprise attack on the the Pa from the rear (south). The gunboats Pioneer and Avon shelled the Pa as they steamed past Meremere on the 30th to land an attacking force just to the south.
All went to plan until the morning of Sunday 31st when the attacking troops stormed the pa - only to find it empty. Realizing that they were outgunned and surrounded, the Maori had deserted the pa the previous night.
The position had been taken without a British life being lost - consequently
Cameron was lauded by the press and the public. Victorious, he then turned his attentions to Rangiriri further south, expecting a similar result.
Opinion was that the “rebels” has witnessed such British military might and dominance and that Rangiriri would also fall without resistance - how fatefully wrong were both opinion and Cameron.
LOCATION:
On the eastern side of the Waikato River, 5km south of Mercer.
Turn off State Highway 1 into Meremere village at Springhill Road, turn left into Te Puea Ave, up the hill through the village, then right into Meremere Road, right again into Naho Street and park at the end of the street. The pa site is in front of you, a short walk up the slope - marked by a decrepit water tank.
 |
| Looking up towards the pa site |
See the video of my visit:
https://youtu.be/ikcT0rDjqRw
Meremere = Venus, the morning star
Mangatawhiri = manga: stream; tawhiri: waving - also the name of a native tree, the branches of which are used by Maori for waving as a demonstration of welcome
Mercer - after Captain Mercer of the Royal Artillery, killed at the Battle of Rangiriri 20/11/1863. The Maori name is Te Pania = the point
Whangamarino = peaceful stretch of water
Auckland - after George Eden (1784-1849), 2nd Baron Auckland, created 1st Earl of Auckland in 1838 during his term as Governor-General of India 1836-1841.
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