War in Taranaki 1860-61 and 1864-66

Soldier with a pipe, book and drink

Life for a European soldier during the Taranaki campaigns wasn’t all fighting. In fact, for most of the time soldiers worked on fatigues, (menial non-military jobs like collecting firewood or watering horses etc.) marching, patrolling, constructing defensive positions and as we can see here, relaxing. This painting shows reading was a popular activity (as was, and still is, alcohol) and also smoking – which in those days was done using a pipe. Another activity implicit in this image is painting. Some British officers documented their soldiering lives through sketches and paintings. New Zealand examples included, Edward Williams, Cyprian Bridge, Horatio Robley and Von Tempsky.

New Zealand’s first war memorial lies in Whanganui’s Moutoa gardens. Erected by grateful Pakeha citizens it acknowledges the 1864 Battle of Moutoa Island. This battle was fought between Lower Whanganui River Māori and those further up the river who had become Pai Mārire converts. The latter, attempting to travel downriver to invade the Whanganui township were defeated on Moutoa Island by Te Rangihiwinui, leader of the allied friendly Māori forces. However, it was not a conscious act on the part of the friendly Māori (Ngati Hau, and Ngati Pamoana) to defend the Pakeha town of Whanganui. Rather it was to uphold their own mana against a raiding party trying to advance through their rohe.

Wiremu Kingi Te Rangitake

“I will not, I will not, I will not'. The confrontation at Waitara between the Government and Wiremu Kingi Te Rangitake was precipitated by Kingi’s refusal to allow the sale of land on the south side of Waitara river, despite a junior chief Te Manuka offering it for sale to the Government. As Te Rangitake told Governor Sir George Grey at an 1859 meeting, 'Listen, Governor…I will not permit the sale of Waitara to the Pakeha. Waitara is in my hands, I will not give it up.” He also wrote to Donald McLean (the Land Purchase commissioner) saying his whenua would not be given up, “lest we resemble the sea-birds which perch upon a rock when the tide flows the rock is covered by the sea…”

Kimble Bent

“I will be very thank full tu yoo if yoo would inquire if they would be dainger for me tu go among the white men in this country please write tu me and Mr Tama Tana tu know that I am a free man or not.” Kimble Bent deserted the British army in Taranaki in 1865. Subsequently, his unique life with the Hauhau was recorded and popularised by the historian James Cowan in his book, The adventures of Kimble Bent. And he had many adventures, not-the-least his part (though not actively) in the battles under Titokowaru where he was used by Māori as a slave (taurekareka) and ammunition expert (casting lead musket balls). The above quote is from a letter he wrote to the authorities.