The Dog Tax Conflict 1898

A DigitalNZ Story by National Library of New Zealand Topics

Māori in Hokianga, Northland objected to paying a tax for their dogs, which led to an armed standoff in Rawene. No lives were lost. SCIS no. 1966346 

social_sciences, english, history, health, Māori, technology

Image: View of Rawene, 1918.

View of Rawene, 1918.

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Dog Tax

Dog Tax

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

Hōne Heke Ngāpua

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Dog tax protest

Dog tax protest

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Group of militia at Rawene, Hokianga, during the Dog Tax Rebellion

Group of militia at Rawene, Hokianga, during the Dog Tax War

In May 1898 Hone Toia made it clear that his people would resist paying the dog tax (and other taxes.) He also stated they would march in protest to Rawene with guns. The Government took this response as a serious threat and sent a force of armed soldiers, field guns and steamers to Hokianga under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Newall. The conflict was avoided when Hōne Heke Ngapua MP urged Hōne Tōia and his followers to surrender. Hone Toia was arrested on 6 May along with 15 others. He was sent to Mt Eden Prison for 18 months hard labour.

Group of militia at Rawene, Hokianga, during the Dog Tax Rebellion

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Tōia, Hōne Riiwi

Tōia, Hōne Riiwi

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

24. Dog Registration Act 1880

The University of Auckland Library

4 Dog Registration Act Amendment Act 1895

The University of Auckland Library

The Dog and Other Animals - The Maori Race

Victoria University of Wellington

Image: TAX ON DOGS. (Clutha Leader 20-12-1912)

TAX ON DOGS. (Clutha Leader 20-12-1912)

National Library of New Zealand

Image: Nordenfeldt gun at Rawene

Nordenfeldt gun at Rawene

Auckland Libraries

Image: Soldiers in Rawene, 1898

Soldiers in Rawene, 1898

Auckland Libraries

The Rawene trouble

Services to Schools

The Dog Tax War

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Dog Tax mural at Rawene

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Rules vs laws

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EPIC

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Image: Skull of kuri (native dog) found at Roha-a-te-kawau island pa, Horowhenua district.

Skull of a kurī (native dog)

This is the skull of a kurī found at Roha-a-te-Kawau island pa. Kurī was a type of dog brought to New Zealand by the Polynesian ancestors of Māori. The dogs had a strong cultural attachment to Māori and featured in many native legends. Dogs were a source of food for Māori, their skins were prized and used for cloaks (kahu kuri) and the bones were made into fish hooks and ornaments. Kurī were also used for hunting birds.

Skull of kuri (native dog) found at Roha-a-te-kawau island pa, Horowhenua district.

Alexander Turnbull Library

New Zealand Wars

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