The site of the Battle of Rangiriri 1863
Rangiriri - literally rangi: sky; riri: angry.
However, A W Reed says: “This is one of the many cases where literal translation can be misleading. Rangiriri was the home of one of the chiefs of the Takitimu canoe, on the Society Islands, and also a part of the ocean believed to be the place where fish originated. It is almost certain that the name was imported from Hawaiki”.
Located right beside S.H.1 - 15km south of Meremere and 15km north of Huntly. The redoubt (signposted) is beside S.H.1 on the north side of Rangiriri village. There is a parking area beside the site.
The Rangiriri turn-off looms rapidly on the motorway, and I, like many others, have previously driven past at speed - totally unaware of the existence of this significant site.
Below: the battlefield site from the motorway (heading South), looking towards the Pa site on the hill-top in the direction the British attacked:
Uphill from the small village of Rangiriri is the site of the battle of Rangiriri (20-21 November, 1863), nearby is Te Wheoro’s Redoubt; in the village are the Rangiriri Heritage Centre/Museum, cafe, and pie shop, while opposite the pub is the small Rangiriri Cemetery.
(See my posts on my visits to these historical sites below).
The visitor can park beside the remains of the well-designed gunfighter pa of Rangiriri, constructed by Maori forces in their attempt to repel invading Imperial troops under General Cameron.
Unfortunately little remains of the earthworks, as State highway 1 was driven through the pa and associated urupa (cemetery) in 1963, with scant regard for the Maori graves - let alone anything else.
Recent reports suggest that the pa has been “restored”, unfortunately this is far from the case - it has however fairly recently been remediated to some extent. Today the visitor can walk over the hillocks and dips which are all that remain of the extensive earthworks; sign-boards at intervals provide information, and (in this digital age) there is of course an app.
See my video of my walk around the site:
https://youtu.be/_tPIswdh9cI
Above and below: these structures represent portions of the original earthworks:
As the purpose of this blog is mainly concerned with identifying the locations of historical sites in New Zealand and documenting my visits to them, I do not propose to provide more than an overview of events at these sites. There are many books as well as much online information on the details of the battles and the historical circumstances relating to them.
Some suggested books are listed below, otherwise Google searches will throw up a myriad of links.
Below: The elaborately carved and impressive traditional Maori gateway here (“Te Tohu Maumahara ki Rangiriri”) was built as part of the 150th commemorations of the battle (2013).
On 20 November 1863, after lengthy planning and construction of supply-lines, some 1,500 British troops and sailors (supported by gunboats and artillery) under Lieutenant General Cameron stormed the well-constructed Maori gunfighter pa of Rangiriri at front and rear with disasterous results (43 killed and 87 wounded).
Cameron had grossly underestimated the strength of the prepared position - which was constructed as a trap, and worked.
Below: on-site information boards:
Rangiriri Pa straddled the narrow piece of land between the Waikato River and Lake Kopuera. It comprised a deep double ditch some 1,000 yards (over one kilometre) long with a five meter-high parapet and, most significantly, a formidable hidden central redoubt.
350-400 Maori defenders repulsed numerous assaults throughout the 20th, and were still in possession of the Pa at nightfall.
There is some controversy as to what happened on the 21st: a plaque at the site says that at dawn the Maori mistook the white ensign on the gunboats below them as flags of truce, and raised their own white flag in reply. Acting rapidly, British troops confused the Maori and were able to enter the Pa and then disarm the fighters.
Maori losses were estimated as 50 killed, with 183 later taken prisoner.
Below: memorial pou with white flag:
Outlying Maori rifle pits on a nearby hill (now known as Te Wheoro’s Redoubt - see blog post below) were over-run early in the conflict. This site commanded a view of the Pa and adjacent Lake Kopuera. During the battle many of the Maori women in the Pa fled towards the lake, some with small children strapped to their backs, in an attempt to escape.
British troops on this hill brutally shot them down as they fled.
Below: pou mark the path of the flight towards the lake (seen in the background):
After Rangiriri the British moved south as planned, towards the next Maori position at Paterangi.
See the video of my visit in June 2018:
https://youtu.be/8QIjThDBztc
Please note:
Places where blood has been spilt and or people have died or are buried are sacred places to the people of New Zealand. Please show respect by honouring Maori protocol by not drinking, eating, or smoking at such places. Taking food onto wahi tapu (sacred ground) is a gross violation of tapu.
Maori customarily cleanse themselves of tapu after visiting wahi tapu by rinsing their hands with water - it is only polite and respectful for all visitors to do likewise.
Below: Lieutenant General Cameron - 1808-1888. Black Watch. Distinguished himself at the Crimea 1854-1856. Replaced General Chute in NZ in March 1866. Under Governor Grey he commanded the British forces in the invasion of the Waikato 1863-1864 in an attempt to crush Maori resistance to the immense land-grab which was taking place. This campaign ended indecisively.
These days the conflicts of the New Zealand wars are starting to be seen in a new light - with a growing recognition of the fact that Maori resistance to the Colonial land-grabbing of the 19th Century was not as illegitimate as European history has made out.
Indeed, according to the New Zealand Heritage Magazine (Issue 146, p.39) “Sources now agree that Tainui never rebelled but were attacked in direct violation of Article ll of the Treaty of Waitangi.”
However, A W Reed says: “This is one of the many cases where literal translation can be misleading. Rangiriri was the home of one of the chiefs of the Takitimu canoe, on the Society Islands, and also a part of the ocean believed to be the place where fish originated. It is almost certain that the name was imported from Hawaiki”.
 |
| A memorial pole/pou on the site of the battlefield |
Located right beside S.H.1 - 15km south of Meremere and 15km north of Huntly. The redoubt (signposted) is beside S.H.1 on the north side of Rangiriri village. There is a parking area beside the site.
The Rangiriri turn-off looms rapidly on the motorway, and I, like many others, have previously driven past at speed - totally unaware of the existence of this significant site.
Below: the battlefield site from the motorway (heading South), looking towards the Pa site on the hill-top in the direction the British attacked:
Uphill from the small village of Rangiriri is the site of the battle of Rangiriri (20-21 November, 1863), nearby is Te Wheoro’s Redoubt; in the village are the Rangiriri Heritage Centre/Museum, cafe, and pie shop, while opposite the pub is the small Rangiriri Cemetery.
(See my posts on my visits to these historical sites below).
The visitor can park beside the remains of the well-designed gunfighter pa of Rangiriri, constructed by Maori forces in their attempt to repel invading Imperial troops under General Cameron.
Unfortunately little remains of the earthworks, as State highway 1 was driven through the pa and associated urupa (cemetery) in 1963, with scant regard for the Maori graves - let alone anything else.
Recent reports suggest that the pa has been “restored”, unfortunately this is far from the case - it has however fairly recently been remediated to some extent. Today the visitor can walk over the hillocks and dips which are all that remain of the extensive earthworks; sign-boards at intervals provide information, and (in this digital age) there is of course an app.
See my video of my walk around the site:
https://youtu.be/_tPIswdh9cI
 |
| The approach to the Pa site from the carpark |
As the purpose of this blog is mainly concerned with identifying the locations of historical sites in New Zealand and documenting my visits to them, I do not propose to provide more than an overview of events at these sites. There are many books as well as much online information on the details of the battles and the historical circumstances relating to them.
Some suggested books are listed below, otherwise Google searches will throw up a myriad of links.
Below: The elaborately carved and impressive traditional Maori gateway here (“Te Tohu Maumahara ki Rangiriri”) was built as part of the 150th commemorations of the battle (2013).
 |
| Te Tohu Maumahara - front |
 |
| Te Tohu Maumahara - rear |
Cameron had grossly underestimated the strength of the prepared position - which was constructed as a trap, and worked.
Below: on-site information boards:
Rangiriri Pa straddled the narrow piece of land between the Waikato River and Lake Kopuera. It comprised a deep double ditch some 1,000 yards (over one kilometre) long with a five meter-high parapet and, most significantly, a formidable hidden central redoubt.
350-400 Maori defenders repulsed numerous assaults throughout the 20th, and were still in possession of the Pa at nightfall.
 |
| A painting of the battle in the Rangiriri Museum |
There is some controversy as to what happened on the 21st: a plaque at the site says that at dawn the Maori mistook the white ensign on the gunboats below them as flags of truce, and raised their own white flag in reply. Acting rapidly, British troops confused the Maori and were able to enter the Pa and then disarm the fighters.
Maori losses were estimated as 50 killed, with 183 later taken prisoner.
Below: memorial pou with white flag:
Outlying Maori rifle pits on a nearby hill (now known as Te Wheoro’s Redoubt - see blog post below) were over-run early in the conflict. This site commanded a view of the Pa and adjacent Lake Kopuera. During the battle many of the Maori women in the Pa fled towards the lake, some with small children strapped to their backs, in an attempt to escape.
British troops on this hill brutally shot them down as they fled.
Below: pou mark the path of the flight towards the lake (seen in the background):
After Rangiriri the British moved south as planned, towards the next Maori position at Paterangi.
See the video of my visit in June 2018:
https://youtu.be/8QIjThDBztc
Please note:
Places where blood has been spilt and or people have died or are buried are sacred places to the people of New Zealand. Please show respect by honouring Maori protocol by not drinking, eating, or smoking at such places. Taking food onto wahi tapu (sacred ground) is a gross violation of tapu.
Maori customarily cleanse themselves of tapu after visiting wahi tapu by rinsing their hands with water - it is only polite and respectful for all visitors to do likewise.
Below: Lieutenant General Cameron - 1808-1888. Black Watch. Distinguished himself at the Crimea 1854-1856. Replaced General Chute in NZ in March 1866. Under Governor Grey he commanded the British forces in the invasion of the Waikato 1863-1864 in an attempt to crush Maori resistance to the immense land-grab which was taking place. This campaign ended indecisively.
These days the conflicts of the New Zealand wars are starting to be seen in a new light - with a growing recognition of the fact that Maori resistance to the Colonial land-grabbing of the 19th Century was not as illegitimate as European history has made out.
Indeed, according to the New Zealand Heritage Magazine (Issue 146, p.39) “Sources now agree that Tainui never rebelled but were attacked in direct violation of Article ll of the Treaty of Waitangi.”
Comments
Post a Comment