The Tomahawk

Unusual Waikato War memorial       The land around Pokeno is rapidly disappearing under hideous tract housing. Other than this construction here is very little in this area to signify the momentous occasion when Imperial troops invaded the Waikato at the command of Governor Grey.       On 12 July 1863 British troops crossed the Mangatawhiri River (just south of Pokeno). This river marked the aukati (boundary) line between the Auckland district and the “King Country” - the heartland of the Waikato under the mana (protection) of the Maori King, and its crossing was therefore regarded as a declaration of war.       From: “The New Zealand Wars” - Philippa Werry p.28       The Pokeno memorial was not erected until 1902, and only commemorates the Europeans who fell. “Rather than a simple obelisk or stone cross, stonemason John Bouskill created an unusual pyramid, topped with a cluster of leaning rifles.”       From: “To The Memory - New Zealand’s War Memorials” - Jock Phillips p.29

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

Rewi (Levi) Manga Maniapoto 1812(?)-1894 Most famous in history, folklore, film and novels for “Rewi’s Last Stand” at Orakau Pa (1864) against the Imperial troops with the declaration: “We shall fight for ever and ever and ever”. Rewi was rangatira, warrior, guardian of the land and champion of Maori autonomy. However, after years of resistance he finally realized that despite the treaty, Maori had lost control of their land. Resistance to loss of soverignty through the Land League, wars, the King movement, and religion (Pai Marire and Ringatu) had all failed. He became peacemaker and was buried at Kihikihi (‘cicada’) in 1894 at the foot of his government-built memorial. I visited Kihikihi on my 2018 winter trip to the Waikato. Fortunately it was a sunny day...   Rewi was Ngati Paretekawa, a hapu of Ngati Maniapoto, and direct descendent and namesake of his founding tribal ancestor - Maniapoto. As a child in 1821 he accompanied his father with Te Wherowhero’s w

Situated on the high bank of the Waikato at Tuakau, the remains of this redoubt are quite evident with ditches and low earth ramparts. Positioned in the Alexandra Redoubt Reserve, there is also an early-settler cemetery here as well as two pleasant walks through native bush. The 150m -long single span Caesar Roose bridge over the Waikato can be seen in the distance. Access: from Tuakau head south on George then River Roads, turn right into Alexandra Redoubt Road and follow the sealed road to the end. From Pokeno: south on Pokeno then Whangarata Roads, turn left into River Road, the right into Alexandra Redoubt Road. Parking is right beside the site. I visited in August 2019 on a sunny winter day. See my tour: https://youtu.be/FlrDPlzWO0Y In the early 1860‘s British immigrants stranded landless in Auckland pressured the New Zealand Governor, Sir George Grey, to allow them access to the fertile territory of the Waikato. In compliance, Grey concocted threats of an imminent

Disobeying the Maori King’s prohibition several Europeans crossed the forbidden line into the King Country in 1873 - which resulted in one of them being murdered and having his heart cut out and offered to Uenuku - the Maori god of war. Uenuku - the Maori god of war Background: After the stalemate of the Waikato Wars (1863-1864) the Waikato Maori entrenched themselves for 20 years in Te Rohe Potate  (the King Country) behind the Autaki Line under King Tawhiao - who made it very clear to the Europeans that any uninvited incursions into this territory would meet with the penalty of death. In 1873 for some reason a group of settler farm-workers saw fit to ignore the King’s injunction and crossed the Line at Kairangi (literally “food” of “heaven”), near Cambridge. The following is from: “Guide to Historical Sites of Maungatautari and Roto-O-Rangi” Complied by John Scott (1994) Cambridge Museum booklet #993-357 Sco Scott does not explain the exact circumstances preceeding this incid

The Waikato War Museum or Heritage Centre) at Rangiriri is well worth a visit (see my blog entry below), and is also bookable for tours or school groups. In the wider area there are also museums at Tuakau, Karaka, Pokeno, Pukekohe, and Mercer - see details below: