Opepe Redoubt
Soon after the murders of 9 members of the colonial cavalry at Opepe by Te Kooti’s forces in a surprise attack on 7 June 1869 an Armed Constabulary (AC) base was established across the road, or rather the Taupo-Napier track (today Hwy 5). Opepe, was one in a chain of forts built by the Constabulary on the general line of the present Napier-Taupo road. Many of the forts acted only as short-term strongholds, developed to protect those engaged in roadmaking and pit-sawing poles from the bush for the telegraph line between Napier and Taupo. Opepe, however, was to remain the centre of activities for the AC, for almost a decade. Until the major AC base at Taupo was begun (which developed into the city we know today), Opepe was the main military stockade and settlement in the area. The photograph below was taken in the mid 1870’s. The AC redoubt is at the crest of the hill in the upper left, at its peak this military post was garrisoned by 150 troops with stabling for 50 horses. A thriv...