Ōrākau - March 1864

A DigitalNZ Story by Janice

The Battle at Ōrākau was fought between 31 March and 2 April 1864. These are images, stories and articles on the last of the battles of the war in the Waikato.

War in the Waikato, Ōrākau, Battle at Ōrākau, New Zealand wars, Colonial wars

Image: Ōrākau pā

Ōrākau pā

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

The battle at Ōrākau

In March 1864 war parties from Pāterangi, Ngāi Tūhoe and Ngāti Raukawa gained Ngāti Maniapoto leader Rewi Maniapoto’s agreement to fight the British at Ōrākau. Under his direction 300 men began constructing defensive earthworks. On 30 March a survey party observed the pā under construction and Brigadier General Robert Carey organised forward columns which arrived at Ōrākau the next day.

Source: Danny Keenan, 'New Zealand wars - Waikato war: major battles', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/new-zealand-wars/page-6 (accessed 5 November 2019)

Ground plan of Orakau pa, 1864

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Plan of Ground surrounding Orakau Pa

Plan of Ground surrounding Orakau Pa

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Brigadier General G. J. Carey

Brigadier General G. J. Carey

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Siege of Ōrākau

Image: Topographic plan and cross section of the Ōrākau pā

Topographic plan and cross section of the Ōrākau pā

Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga

The battle As reported in the news in 1864

List of British casualties from Battle of Ōrākau.

BATTLE OF ORAKAU. (Taranaki Herald, 16 April 1864)

National Library of New Zealand

Heroes and the brave Bid to escape

At 3.30 p.m. nearly all the Māori left the pā in a disciplined body. This move in broad daylight caught the British by surprise and the Māori broke through the surrounding cordon. The fugitives then split into small groups that were pursued by cavalry and Forest Rangers across 3 km of open country to the Pūniu River. It was during this retreat that most of the Māori casualties occurred.

Source: 'The Battle of Ōrākau', URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/war-in-waikato/battle-of-orakau, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 9-Apr-2019

The decison to build the pā at Ōrākau and the casualties defending it.

The Defence of Orakau Pa - The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 12, Issue 11 (February 1, 1938)

Victoria University of Wellington

Image: Aliumai te Paerata, the heroine of Orakau. — (From a drawing by T. Ryan, at Taupo.)

‘Ki te mate ngā tāne, me mate anō ngā wāhine me ngā tamariki’ – ‘If the men die, the women and children must die also.’

Aliumai te Paerata, the heroine of Orakau. — (From a drawing by T. Ryan, at Taupo.)

Victoria University of Wellington

Rewi's last stand

Steady fire prevented Māori reinforcements from reaching Ōrākau. Unable to get to the pā, they sat ‘on the hill and wept their farewell, for they thought that … none (would) escape’. Lieutenant-General Cameron arrived on 2 April with reinforcements that increased the British strength to more than 1400. By now almost out of food, water and ammunition, the occupants of the pā were becoming desperate.

The defenders were offered a last chance to surrender. This demand was met with a famous reply, one version of which is:

E hoa, ka whawhai tonu mātou, Āke! Āke! Āke!

Friend, we will fight on forever, forever and forever!

Source: 'The Battle of Ōrākau', URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/war-in-waikato/battle-of-orakau, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 9-Apr-2019

Image: REWI’S LAST STAND / THE LAST STAND

REWI’S LAST STAND / THE LAST STAND

Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision

Image: Rewi Maniapoto defies the British at Ōrākau

Rewi Maniapoto defies the British at Ōrākau

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Drawing of Rewi Maniapoto

Drawing of Rewi Maniapoto

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Rewi’s last stand

Poster advertising Rudall Hayward's film version of Rewi's last stand, released in 1940.

Rewi’s last stand

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Commemoration of the Battle of Ōrākau, 50 years later in 1914.

Image: Old adversaries meet at Ōrākau, 1914

James Adam Capper and Hekeria Te Rangimeet in peace on the 50th anniversary of the battle of Ōrākau.

Old adversaries meet at Ōrākau, 1914

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Report on the battle, and the unveiling of a monument at the site in 1914.

BATTLE OF ORAKAU. (Colonist, 02 April 1914)

National Library of New Zealand

Dr. Pomare's advice to remove restrictions preventing Māori from attending the 50 anniversary commemorations.

THE FALL OF ORAKAU. (Colonist, 05 March 1914)

National Library of New Zealand

Memorials

Image: Ōrākau NZ Wars memorial

Ōrākau NZ Wars memorial

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Ōrākau, famed battle site - Roadside Stories

Ōrākau, famed battle site - Roadside Stories

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Plaque at site of Orakau battle / massacre, Waikato, New Zealand

Plaque at site of Orakau battle / massacre, Waikato, New Zealand

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Waikato Land War commemoration event at Orakau, Waikato, New Zealand, Tuesday, April 1, 2014. 

Image: ALPH0104141987

ALPH0104141987

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: ALPH0104141784

ALPH0104141784

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: ALPH0104142192

ALPH0104142192

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: ALPH0104141578

ALPH0104141578

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: The Battle of Orakau with Michael Belgrave

Massey University historian Professor Michael Belgrave talks about the battle.

The Battle of Orakau with Michael Belgrave

Radio New Zealand

Image: ALPH0104142701

ALPH0104142701

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Moetū promises to be their eyes, day and night.

Image: Serious in Intent, Playful in Manner [Book review]

Book on the 1864, Battle of Ōrākau told from the perspective of Moetū, a 17 year-old boy from the Rongowhakaata iwi.

Serious in Intent, Playful in Manner [Book review]

Landfall