The Tomahawk

Despite their magical chants and signs attacking Hauhau warriors were cut down in a hail of bullets. When fanatical Hauhau warriors stormed the British redoubt at Sentry Hill (east of New Plymouth) on the morning of 30 April 1864 they were confident that their magical hand-signs and chants would protect them from the Pakeha bullets. Below: Hauhau flag with figure making the upraised had (ringatu) gesture to ward off bullets. Soldiers in the small fort watched in amazement as over 200 armed Maori marched fearlessly toward them across mostly open country, lead by chiefs including Te Whiti and Tohu Kakahi (afterwards the prophets of Parihaka). With their right hands uplifted and chanting  “Hapa, hapa, hapa! Hau, hau, hau! Pai-marire, rire, rire—hau!” the warriors marched up the small hill. Equally confident in their fire-power the 75 well-armed troops of the 57th Regiment held their nerve until the zealots came within metres. Unfortunately for the Maori their incantations and gestures...

Hauhau warriors prepare to attack, kill and decapitate a group of soldiers led by Captain Lloyd - Ahuahu, North Taranaki, 6 April 1864. This dramatic watercolour by Major Gustavius von Tempsky entitled “A Maori Ambush” depicts Pai Marire/Hauhau warriors preparing to attack a troop of soldiers and militia from the Kaitake Redoubt engaged in destroying a crop of maize planted by local Maori, in North Taranaki. This action was part of an “bush scouring” tactic by Imperial forces aimed at destroying Maori food resources and shelter in order to render them less capable of any resistance to the taking of their land. CONTENTS: History - including Taranaki Herald report April 9 1864 Location and access Photograph of my visit to the site November 2018 Google maps HISTORY In “Frontier’ Peter Maxwell describes the unwary foe in the scene above as being first cut down by shotgun fire from the bush, then attacked with tomahawks by Maori chanting “Hau Hau”. Seven fell dead, the re...