New Zealand Wars | Ngā Pakanga o Aotearoa: General resources and legacy

He Rā Maumahara

Can the New Zealand War fought over 150 years ago still have an impact today? Yes. After a visit in 2014 by Otorohanga College students to the Waikato battlefields, the pupils wondered why this part of our history was not widely known, shared or discussed. The students then drew up a petition calling on the Government to establish a national day of remembrance for the New Zealand Wars and to also mandate the teaching of these wars in all New Zealand schools. It took 2 years and 12,000 signatures but finally the petition was presented to Parliament in 2015. The following year the Government declared that a national day of commemoration day - He Rā Maumahara would be established.

Maori flag: Aotearoa

One notable collector of New Zealand Wars material was William Francis Gordon. His collection focused largely on the 1860s and included paper-based material like maps, sketches, portraits, and here, a collection of Hauhau flags drawn by Gordon. Many of these flags were captured or surrendered to Pakeha or Kaupapa. Flags as symbols of identity and independence (Maori) and Imperialism (British) were important centrepieces in the New Zealand Wars. They announced a collection presence based on religious and political ideals and aspirations. This flag (its fabric is red silk) was made by the rebel fighter, governess, translator and teacher Hēni Te Kiri Karamu who fought at Pukehinahina, Gate Pa.

“It is important that the Maori side of the Wars be fairly represented.” Journalist and historian James Cowan was a Pakeha teller of stories, particularly those featuring our shared Maori Pakeha history. Many of these related directly to the New Zealand Wars era. Ahead of his time, he liked to remind Pākehā that their history, while short, was packed with extraordinary drama. Cowan’s skill in presenting our history lay in his narrative skills; the ability to relate to and record his informants (many Maori kaumatua), gather their narratives and publish to a public largely unaware of their colonial history.