Connections represent the way we perceive elements in unity. Understanding ancestral lands and the neighboring territories contributes to our self-awareness and the valuable lessons the land can offer us. I had the privilege of forming a connection and receiving an invitation from Anaru Wilkie to attend a gathering north of Ngamotu, New Plymouth. The location was unassuming, and easily missed while driving past. Situated north of Bell Block, there lies a mound within a field – Mahoetahi. Often, I contemplate how many other such places remain undiscovered by me, their histories eluding my knowledge.

Embarking on what I term "blind date photography" is invariably daunting. Yet, fortified by Anaru's support, I ventured forth with determination. Gratefully, my presence was recognised, imbuing me with a sense of ease. The event emanated an intense energy, characterized by both somber undertones and elevated levels of Aroha (love and compassion), intertwined with hope. The wind danced with grace, and the sun radiated brightly, embracing everybody there.

A brief account of the story told by Anaru goes like this;

The significance of its history is lost for many people, but not for some. Today there was a ceremony at the church to celebrate Chief Wetini's final resting place. This in fact is not what the locals wanted and they wanted their chief to be returned. At the mound, there are many buried with only one monument to all these people.

Mahoetahi was where tribes fought with honor and high skill. They were outnumbered, outgunned, and faced a hopeless situation. Unfair, yet they fought knowing that their death was preferred over the surrendered outcome. The area place had been occupied for many years by Māori however the colonialists were selling the land they occupied, Māori rightfully fought back. At Fitzroy there was a pou and no more whenua was to be sold. However, in 1860 the first shots were fired on Māori and from then on battles were fought to stop the English.

In June of that year, one of the soldiers was captured. There was a meeting organised and a request for a Navy to cease fire. The meeting agreed on all people to return to their land. Unbeknownst a new General had taken over, and in November General Pratt organised an attack. Wetini had 150 men, The English had 800 soldiers.

At 05.00 hours the army left New Plymouth, surrounded the area, and fired cannonballs. These skimmed across the top due to the angle. However, Cpt Harry Atkinson was a Major in the Taranaki Bush ranger and wanted the right to charge the site people who wanted the whenua. They had spent a lot of time burning the whenua, they were not subject to the same rules and so played dirty. Lined up and do a frontal charge from the beehives.

Later Cpt Harry Atkinson became Prime Minister of New Zealand.

The fighting took place until the hapu ran out of ammunition. Then they fought for two hours hand to hand until they were all dead! The people fought with honor! The Military recounted it was the most vicious fighting they had as the military outnumbered them 4:1. This was the 1st victory the military claimed happened here – every other place they bombed an empty pa and also claimed victory there too. After the battle, the men were brought up to Mahoetahi mound, looted and their possessions taken, those that had not died were subject to torture, and their bodies were tied across the muzzle. This was recorded by the Military. They dug a mass grave on the western side and buried the dead there.

Chief Wetini was taken to town to St Mary's Church and buried there – there are a number of descriptions as to why - one was to give a proper Christian burial Imajor pā – Waimate and Te Namu – were bombarded, looted, and burned.

Battle of Mahoetahi

Mahoetahi is a Puketapu Hapu Pa of Ngati Potaka Taniwha and Te Kahui Rangi.

The cross seen on the western side of the hill was erected in remembrance of the chiefs of Waikato, of Wetini Taiporutu and his comrades, who were killed during the combat.

Prelude to the fight – war-fever in Waikato

In the wake of the battle of Puketakauere the settlement of New Plymouth was effectively under a state of siege.

THE UPPER WAIKATO contingent had gone home after Puketakauere to tell of their victory over the pakeha, exhibit their trophies of battle, and plant their crops. The news of their prowess in the field, and the sight of the soldiers' caps and red coats in which some of them paraded, their newly gotten rifles, bayonets, and cartridge-pouches, aroused at once the admiration and the jealousy of their neighbours.

According to Cowan, Ngati Maniapoto’s exploits had ‘fired all the Waikato tribes with ardour for the field.’

With the new season’s potatoes planted, Cowan wrote:

Nearly every village from Ngaruawahia southward sent its squad to join the war-parties in reinforcement of Wiremu Kingi. Ngati-Maniapoto provided the larger part of the force; but Ngati Haua sent a company....The other tribes which swelled the strength of the columns marching southward were Ngati Raukawa and Ngati-Koroki, and these subtribes of Waikato: Ngati-Apakura (from Rangiaowhia), Ngati-Ruru (Te Awamutu), Ngati-Koura (Orakau), Ngati-Kahukura, and Ngati-Mahuta.

Wetini and his war-party must off to Waitara to kill soldiers themselves. The new season's potatoes planted, the Waikato-Waipa basin and the plains of Matamata were alive with parties of young musketeers marching off for the summer's shooting in Taranaki. Nearly every village from Ngaruawahia southward sent its squad to join the war-parties in reinforcement of Wiremu Kingi.

Ngati-Maniapoto provided the larger part of the force; but Ngati Haua sent a company about eighty strong of the finest fighting-men that ever carried tupara and tomahawk. They were the flower of the tribe—tall athletes, fit successors of the invincible warriors whom Waharoa had led against many a stockade. Wetini Taiporutu (“The Surging Sea”) was at their head.

The other tribes which swelled the strength of the columns marching southward were Ngati - Raukawa and Ngati - Koroki, and these subtribes of Waikato: Ngati-Apakura (from Rangiaowhia), Ngati-Ruru (Te Awamutu), Ngati-Koura (Orakau), Ngati-Kahukura, and Ngati-Mahuta.

Rewi Maniapoto headed the Ngati Maniapoto party. He was a veteran of the Waitara trail, according to Cowan, having accompanied the large taua to Pukerangiora in 1832 when just 12 years of age, though other sources suggest he was in his mid-twenties at the time.

Rewi Maniapoto and the other chiefs had agreed to rendezvous at Kairau, but it is said that a party of Ngati Haua under the leadership of Te Wetini Taiporutu pushed on to Mahoetahi, supposedly being anxious to distinguish themselves in battle.

The Hekenga from Kihikihi to Waitara

Wetini's war-party marched apart from the others, eager to reach the scene of war and uphold the name of Ngati Haua.

From Mokau Heads they made a forced march along the beach, and, crossing the Waitara, met their allies on the strongly fortified plain at Kairau. Anxious to distinguish themselves in a battle of their own, they stayed not long at the Kairau, where they were joined by other Waikato tribes, but pushed on to Mahoetahi, an old practically unfortified pa on a gentle mound of a hill alongside the Devon Road, two miles and a half from Waitara and seven miles and a half from New Plymouth.

Ngati Haua arrived

On the 5th November 1860, 150 warriors of the Ngati Haua arrived with their chief, Wetini Taiporutu, chief secretary to the then Maori King- Potatau. Occupying a small volcanic hill on November 5, 1860, called Mahoetahi, they intended to dig in and fortify the area as a direct challenge to Pratt.

Wetini challenge to Mr Parris

The Waikato chief, Wetini, had previously sent a letter on the 1st of November 1860 of an insulting nature to Mr. Parris (of the Native Department), a copy of which I here attach :— "To Mr. Parris.—Friend,—l have heard your word ; come to fight me; that is very good; come inland, and let us meet each other; fish fight at sea, come inland, and stand on our feet; make haste, make haste, don't prolong it, that is all I have to say to you, make haste!— From Wetini Taiporutu, from Porukoru." From all the chiefs of Ngati Haua and Waikato.

Wetini took up this position as a deliberate challenge to the British General. He had sent an invitation to combat quite in the manner of the knights of old.

Colonial Change – Coming of Major General Pratt

Before the conflict Major General Pratt, the officer commanding Australian troops, had viewed developing events in Taranaki with great concern. When he had heard news of the military defeat at Puketakauere and Onukukaitara, he decided to take personal control of the Taranaki campaign.

Arriving in New Plymouth on August 3, 1860, he immediately inspected the districts defences. He ordered additional entrenchments and blockhouses around New Plymouth, then left for Auckland to have talks with the governor on the campaign's progress.

On his return Pratt organised a large-scale search and destroy operation around Waitara with his force of 1400. Marching out early September they discovered and destroyed four minor entrenched villages (Huirangi, Kotewaiamaha, Ngataiparirua and Kairau). This also occurred in South Taranaki and by November, Pratt was confident the siege was over and they now held sway over no man's land.

With the humiliating defeat of the military at the battle of Puketakauere and Onukukaitara, near big Jims Hill in Waitara, rumours abounded of a party of 500 Waikato warriors coming down the coast to join Wiremu Kingi and his followers.

Mr Parris responded with Major General Pratt

This metaphorical trailing of Ngati Haua's blanket was taken up by the pakeha with spirited alacrity. It was on the evening of the 5th November that Major-General Pratt was informed that Wetini's contingent had crossed the Waitara, and that possibly next morning they would be in the vicinity of Mahoetahi. It was thought that they were marching on New Plymouth. Their numbers were greatly exaggerated. Pratt immediately issued orders for a British column to march from New Plymouth, and another from Waitara, to meet at Mahoetahi next forenoon, and so take the Maoris between two fires.

At 5 o'clock on a beautiful clear morning the General's column left the town.

It was composed chiefly of the 65th, 40th, and 12th Regiments, with some Royal Artillery manning two 24-pounder howitzers, a few sappers and miners, and two companies of the Taranaki Rifle Volunteers and Militia, with twenty of the Volunteer cavalry. The total strength of the force was 670; of this force the Volunteers made up about 130. Some friendly Maoris also went out, but took no part in the assault.

Word arrived that the Waikato had crossed the Waitara River in force and would join Kingi at Mahoetahi the next day. The military sprung into action and marched a force from New Plymouth with supply wagons of stores, ammunition and two 10 kilogram howitzer guns.

Besides the officers of the general's staff, there was Captain Strover, one sergeant and 12 men of the Royal Artillery; Captain Mould and 10 men of the Royal Engineers; Major Hutchins, two officers and 84 men of the 12th Regiment; Colonel Leslie, six officers and 186 men of the 40th Regiment; Captain Turner, four officers and 223 men of the 65th Regiment; Major Herbert, six officers and 120 men of the Taranaki Militia and Rifle Volunteers and Captain Desvoeux with 20 men of the Mounted Volunteers. (approx. 685 millitary)

On the march out the advance-guard, in extended order, consisted of a company of the 65th Regiment, under Captain Turner, with a company of Volunteers and Militia as a flank guard on the left, and another company of the 65th flanking the advance on the right. The colonial officers who took part in the expedition were Major Herbert (late 58th Regiment), Captain C. Brown, Harry A. Atkinson, and W. S. Atkinson (the last-named in charge of the Maori contingent), Lieutenants Hamerton, Morrison, Webster, and Standish, and Ensign W. B. Messenger. Mr. R. Parris, who accompanied the force, also had a captain's commission, and later was promoted to major.

The soldiers from New Plymouth crossed the Mangaoraka River in silence and advanced towards Mahoetahi. The pa was a commanding one and afforded considerable cover, to the Maori, who opened up with rapid fire as soon as the troops came into sight.

The Battle started

The main body of the Waikatos lay in a raupo swamp well concealed from observation, and another body occupied an entrenchment on the crest of Mahoetahi hill, in which were some entrenched whare.

The Waikato commenced the action by firing the first shots from an old entrenched position in the crest of Mahoetahi hill.

The British ordered their guns into position. Major Herbert was ordered to skirmish to the left, through high fern and deep swamp.

Soon after crossing the Mangaoraka the firing commenced, the Maori skirmishers falling back upon the Mahoetahi Hill as the troops advanced. The advance-guard formed a line of skirmishers and moved quickly towards the Maori position, which was visible on the high ground across a narrow swamp directly in front, and just to the left of the main road where it curved inland to avoid the Mahoetahi ridge. Several casualties occurred among the 65th before the swamp was crossed.

The Taranaki Militia was ordered to seize the hill to the left of the pa and occupy it. A portion of the 65th was directed to fix bayonets and storm the pa in front while the Militia was ordered to do the same on the left flank.

Under rapid fire General Pratt and his men stormed the pa and engaged in close combat. Several of his men fell wounded. Captain Atkinson of the Militia kept up a barrage of fire from the hill to the left.

Colonel Sillery was wounded with a musket ball through his side and Captain Turner had a ball pass through his mouth and lodge in his jaw.

The fight continued for two hours with the 12th and 40th regiments bringing up the ammunition from the Mangaoraka landing.

Lieutenant Urquhart with the Light Company, 65th, was skirmishing on the extreme right, when Colonel Mould's column came into the action from the Waitara side. The west end was in possession of the troops from New Plymouth, while the eastern side was being controlled by the Waikato Maori keeping up rapid fire from the swamps.

The advanced guard under Lieutenant Talbot, occupied a furze hedge on Devon Rd, north of the pa when the Waikato warriors were seen to leave the pa and occupy the swamp on the Waitara side.

Major Nelson then advanced with the 10kg gun to a wooded hill in a direction transverse to the retreating enemy, and reported to General Pratt.

Lieutenant MacNaughton, with the howitzer, was then ordered to the front, and two rounds of spherical case were thrown into the Maoris. Immediately after the second of these fatal missiles had exploded, they ran from their cover.

“Charge!” was the next order, and then there was a desperate race for the top of the mound. Volunteers and Militia were determined that no Regulars should deprive them of the honour of being first in the pa. The front line of the 65th received a heavy volley from the hill and stayed for a moment or two, but the supporting company came up, and the hilltop was gained. The Taranaki men, led on by Major Herbert, sword in hand, were just breasting the upper slope when the Māori's gave them the next volley. But a moment before it was delivered Major Herbert shouted “Down!” and dropped flat on the ground, and every man followed his example on the instant. The bullets went over their heads. Leaping up, the men were into the Maori position, bayonet and bayonet with the big Irishmen of the 65th on their right. No Maori, however brave, could stand in the open before that line of steel.

Most of Wetini's men, after the first volley, took cover behind an old parapet, the remains of the ancient fortification which had enclosed the centre of the hilltop, and in a number of excavations, whare sites, besides some dilapidated huts and fern, and masked potato-pits, which made good riflepits. Having only taken post in the old pa that morning, they had not had time to entrench themselves properly. From such cover as there was Ngati Haua fired heavily, inflicting several casualties on the 65th and the Volunteers. Charging across the pa, Herbert's settler soldiers received a heavy volley delivered by the Maoris just under the crest on the reverse slope of the hill; but the fire was too high, and there were no casualties. Meanwhile the 65th had cleared the centre of the hill with the bayonet.

Captain Bowdler (40th) and Lieutenant Urquhart (65th) sent shells flying after them in the direction of the Kairau Pa, the retreating Ngati Haua throwing their guns and ammunition in the fern as they fled.

Ngati Haua retreated to the edge of the swamp on the Waitara side, and Regulars and Volunteers and Militia charged down the slope after them. Now came the most desperate work of the day. Ngati Haua and their kin of Waikato and Maniapoto turned on the troops like lions.

When there was no time to reload their tuparas or their rifles they threw down the now-useless weapons and countered bayonet with tomahawk.

There were not more than a hundred and fifty Maoris, but, outnumbered as they were, they fought with a splendid heroism. If they were rebels they were glorious rebels. Their one thought now was to hapai-ingoa—to uplift the tribal name and fame.

A stout Maori in the swamp was attacked by a soldier of the 65th W. Marshall, who was grasped by the Waikato, pushed under water, and would have been drowned if another man, a volunteer, had not come to his rescue with his rifle, and killed the Maori. I saw one of the 65th thrust his bayonet through a Maori, who kept a firm hold, and would not allow the soldier to draw the bayonet out. This was a critical scene, as the Maori who was under having a death hold with one hand on the bayonet and a tomahawk in the other, was doing his utmost to get near enough to his opponent and use the tomahawk, but the amazing warrior gripped the barrel of the rifle with his left hand and tomahawked his opponent on the arm, but fortune favoured the son of Mars, when suddenly he-twisted the bayonet out of the native's stomach, and shortly after he was no more.

On the fern flat below the swamp many of the Maoris took cover in old potato-pits and fired upon their foes on the other side. But the weight of the combined advance was irresistible. Fighting yard by yard the gallant Ngati Haua were forced back. At last they turned and fled, leaving more than a score lying dead among the tufts of tussocks and flax and in the reddened pools of water. Rifles, double-barrel guns, and cartridge-belts strewed the ground of the retreat. With the bursting shells of the howitzers and six hundred Enfields and bayonets compelling their flight, they retreated across the Waiongana towards Huirangi.

The chase across the Waiongana was carried as far as Ngatai-pari-rua and Puke-ta-kauere; thence the pursuers returned to the captured hill and marched back to quarters. Colonel Mould was left at Mahoetahi with a force to hold the hill.

Parris, who accompanied the expedition, reported that:

On approaching the pa they opened fire upon us, which was warmly returned, and the seaward end of the pa soon taken. They at last went out of the pa into the swamp the inland side of the pa, and there remained until Colonel Mould arrived with his party from Waitara, when they were between two fires, which cross-firing wounded some of our own men; after they had lost about 12 men they ran away under very heavy fire along the road leading to Huirangi and before they got to Waiongona ford, 10 or 12 more fell, and among them Wetini Taiporutu. His chivalrous challenge won him undying fame, but cost Ngati Haua two score men.

When the battle ended

When the battle finally ended, looting of the dead by the soldiers was witnessed by some of those present. A man was seen to cut a long greenstone pendant from the ear of a dead warrior; this was depicted in Taranaki Punch magazine and was not a good look for the military. It drew a very negative response from the settlers.

Another soldier was seen taking 15 sovereigns from the pocket of a tall and handsomely tattooed dead Waikato warrior.

Out of those killed, just one-third or eight of the men were described as Ngati Haua. Of the others, some belonged to Ngati Apakura, Ngati Ruru, Ngati Kahukura, Ngati Koroki and other groups.

It is clear, then, that the taua was a more diverse one than is usually assumed and the process of identification highlights the fallacy of describing this as a Ngati Haua war party.

Those killed left behind relatives located in many Waikato settlements.

"Friendly" Maori proceeded to collect the dead in horse drawn carts. Thirty two bodies were brought out from the field and among them was Chief Wetini. Three chiefs' bodies were removed and sent to New Plymouth to be buried at St Mary's churchyard. Several wounded Maori were sent in carts to New Plymouth to the Military Hospital.

When the bodies of the slain Maoris were collected from the road and the fern, and many had ran a long distance before they dropped dead, they presented the appearance of a particularly powerful set of men—even gigantic, like Life Guardsmen—and what was remarkable, showing also high breeding —their skins were of a bright orange colour. The Maori were armed with well-finished English Rifles, and double-barrelled fowling pieces, and were able to keep up a continuous fire, whilst their powers of concealment were wonderful.

One of the Maoris found in the fern feigned dead, and required some shaking to make him show signs of life. I saw the villain brought in in a nude state, without the slightest scratch on his body— not even from the fern. Four friendly natives took hold of and lifted him up high, (and then dropped him, kicked him, and dragged him, and yet he never flinched, keeping his eyes closed all the while.

But the friendly chief Ihaia (Kirikumara), and' his fighting captain, Big Jim (Hemi Waaka), a chief of repute, suggested that the native should be tied before the muzzle of one of the guns, it charged with grape and canister, taking the word of command from him to blow him to' atoms.

Alter some time had elapsed, and the friendly Maoris saying amongst themselves that if he was alive he ought not to allow himself to be blown away from the big gun, just then he was seen to open one eye, and, seeing his position, made a most determined effort, and extricated himself as the gunner was about to ignite the fuse. After all this being over, the friendly natives roared and danced around this powerful Waikato prisoner, and eventually would have killed him had-the troops been away.

Sergeant Marjouram wrote in his diary, "November 6th: Great excitement in the town.

They buried 32 rebels on the field and have brought the 5 prisoners to town. Our loss is 4 killed and 12 wounded. The Maori engaged were all Waikatos, and their brave conduct under a murderous fire was highly spoken of by our men".

General Pratt left Colonel Mould in charge of 300 men to occupy Mahoetahi, the rest returned to New Plymouth and the Waitara camp.

The actual British casualties were four killed, two officers and 13 men wounded. Almost a third of the Waikato force was killed, and most were buried in a mass grave on the western slope of the pa. A wooden cross erected in 1911 was replaced in 1941.

Part of the original cross is held at Puke Ariki in New Plymouth.

Many a village of the Waipa and the Matamata plains resounded with the tangi of grief for the men when the wounded remnant of Wetini's contingent made their painful way home. There were some ghastly wounds among the warriors.

The venerable half-caste chief Pou-patate Huihi, of Te Kopua, who fought at Mahoetahi and saw Wetini Taiporutu shot, says, “One of our men, Te Whitu, had his lower jaw carried away by a bullet. We bound it up with a cloth round his head, and he came home with us, recovered, and lived for many years afterwards.”

Besides Wetini, a number of chiefs of importance fell at Mahoetahi. The principal man of Ngati-Maniapoto killed was Te Paetai te Mahia, from Kihikihi. Ngati-Ruru (Te Awamutu) lost Hakopa, and Ngati-Raukawa the chief Mokau te Matapuna, of Orakau. “When the survivors returned to the Waikato,” says Te Huia Raureti, of Ngati-Maniapoto, “the grief of our people at this disaster was intense, and it was felt that the defeat could never be avenged in full.” The survivors did not return, however, without an effort to obtain utu for the loss of so many comrades.

The following is a list of Waikatos killed:--

1. Wetini Taiporutu, Ngati Haua Chief of Waikato; (buried at St Marys)

2. Hemi (Wetini Taiporutu son) (buried at St Marys)

3. Whararangi, Chief of Ngati Apakura; (buried at St Marys)

4. Hakopa, Chief of Ngatikoura; Ngati-Ruru (Te Awamutu) (buried at St Marys)

5. Tamu, of Ngati Ruru;

6. Hikaraia, of Ngati Haua;

7. Hakapo, of Ngati Koroki;

8. Heneriko, of Te Urkopi;

9. Wirihana; Wanganui, of Ngati Koriki;

10. Pari, of Ngati Haua;

11. Tamihana, of Ngati Koroki;

12. Harawira, of Ngati Haua;

13. Hirini, of Ngati Kahukura;

14. Tamihana, of Ngati Ruru;

15. Wharawhara, of Ngati Haua;

16. Hemi Karena, of Ngati Ruru;

17. Harawira, of Ngati Haua;

18. Te Paetai te Mahia, of Ngati-Maniapoto (Kihikihi)

19. Mokau te Matapuna, of Ngati-Raukawa (Orakau)

Besides these there were twelve whose names I have not obtained.

Utu for Mahoetahi

Three months later on 23 January 1861 the attack on No 3 redoubt at Huirangi by a party of 140 warriors of Ngati Haua, Ngati Maniapoto, Waikato and Te Atiawa led by Rewi Maniapoto, Epiha Tokohihi from Kihikihi and Hapurona was in response to the loss at Mahoetahi.

The cumulative effect of these disasters was to heighten the war feeling throughout the Waikato and hasten the outbreak in the Auckland Province.

Waiata Tangi

To this day a song of lamentation, composed by a woman named Hokepera for those killed at Mahoetahi, is heard among the people of Ngati-Maniapoto. This waiata (chanted to the writer by the two old comrades Te Huia Raureti and Pou-patate) is as follows:—

Reference: Anaru Wilkie, Kaitakawaenga Maori -Iwi Relations, New Plymouth District Council, notes compiled from a number of public sources.

Origins of conflict

Reference

'Puketutu and Te Ahuahu', URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/northern-war/puketutu, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 2-Apr-2019

Throughout the epochs of human existence, numerous scars, disparities, and conflicts have emerged. Despite this, our ability to inquire "why," contemplate profound inquiries, and utilise the art of attentive listening empowers us to negotiate for collective welfare. The obstacle lies in sidestepping our egos, bearing in mind that diversity in approaches exists, and cultivating mutual regard. While the path isn't straightforward, it's essential to acknowledge that life's complexity is an inherent facet, and our journey toward progress remains extensive.