Battle of Ruapekapeka
Ruapekapeka pā, near Kawakawa, Northland, New Zealand
What happened
Ngāpuhi fighters led by Te Ruki Kawiti and Hōne Heke defended their fortified pā against British forces under Lieutenant Colonel Henry Despard, with Māori allies led by Tāmati Wāka Nene. During the Flagstaff War in northern New Zealand, Kawiti helped design a new fortified pā at Ruapekapeka, with trenches, wooden walls and underground shelters to protect people from cannon fire. British guns bombarded it for about two weeks. On Sunday 11 January 1846 the pā seemed empty and British troops went in, and after a four-hour fight the remaining Māori withdrew.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The pā was one of the strongest ever built in New Zealand. The battle ended the Flagstaff War without Ngāpuhi losing their land.
What came next
Kawiti and Heke offered to end the fighting if colonial forces left Ngāpuhi land, and with Tāmati Wāka Nene as go-between, both were pardoned. No land was taken from them.
Did you know?
The earthworks of Ruapekapeka pā can still be seen today.
Timeline
- 1845The Flagstaff War begins in northern New Zealand.
- 27 December 1845British forces begin the attack on Ruapekapeka.
- 11 January 1846British troops enter the pā, and the defenders withdraw.
- 1846Kawiti and Heke make peace and are pardoned.
- 1854Kawiti dies.