Rewi’s Last Stand

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Despite facing overwhelming odds in a hastily constructed gunfighter pa at Orakau in 1864 besieged Maori defiantly declared that they would never surrender.


The last battle of the Waikato War saw Maori warriors, as well as women and children, led by Rewi Maniapoto trapped in a poorly prepared defensive position - running out of food, water and ammunition while facing odds of 16 to one. Despite this, when offered a chance to surrender, they swore that they would fight “for ever and ever”. 
However, shortly afterwards the majority of the defenders fled the pa from the un-besieged rear, running south towards the Punui River.
A British cavalry charge and gunfire killed many of them.
Rewi Maniapoto survived to continue his resistance to the taking of Maori land for many years, in conjunction with the Maori King, but this was the last time he stood and fought militarily.

 
Cavalry charge the defenders

FURTHER READING:
“The New Zealand Wars” - James Belich, p.166-175
“Frontier” - Peter Maxwell, p.75-81

Orakau Pa beseiged


The pa and battle site

ACCESS
About 4km from Te Awamutu, the site is easy to whizz past - so watch for the yellow sign. The Arapuni Road runs right through the centre of where the pa once stood on the crest of a hill. Parking is available on the  northern side of the road.




























The approach from the west
The approach from the east
The monument is at the top of the steps

















                                         
Punui River in the background

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