The Battle of Ooraakau
The last campaign of the Waikato War
The Waikato War was one of the most important campaigns in New Zealand Wars, and this month marks the anniversary of the Battle of Ooraakau.
The Waikato was seen as the heart of the Kingitangi movement and the Mangatawhiri stream near Pokeno was declared a boundary the militia were not to cross. Governor George Grey vowed to “dig around” the Kingitangi until it fell, so in July 1863 his soldiers crossed the stream and fought their way through the Waikato.
The Battle of Ooraakau was the last major campaign of the Waikato War, and it begun on the 31st of March 1964. Ooraakau was once an idyllic home for Maaori. It was covered in a garden of fruit and root crops. There was an abundance of potatoes, kumara, maize, pumpkins, peaches, apples, and more. After the disastrous defeat at Rangiaowhia, Ngaati Maniapoto chief, Rewi Maniapoto, conceded to building a paa at Ooraakau, against his own better judgement. While it could be easily fortified, he feared it would have inadequate water supply with no obvious escape route.
Two surveyors nearby in Kihikihi spied the construction of this paa and informed the militia. An armed force was sent to investigate and two days later 1400 troops reached the incomplete fortified paa. There were only 300 defenders, and the fighting prevented more Maaori reinforcements from arriving. After two days the occupants of the paa were almost out of supplies with no help of getting more. After the last chance to surrender was given, Rewi allegedly responded, “Ka whawhai tonu matou, Aake! Aake! Aake! We will fight on forever and ever. The Maaori left the paa and caught the British by surprise and managed to break through the surrounding cordon. They then split into small groups and were pursued by the militia. Most casualties occurred at this time, with around 160 Maaori fighters killed.
This battle concluded the Waikato War, and the militia focused their attention on Tauranga. Grey was determined to kill the Kingitangi movement, and even though his men won the battles, the Kingitangi lived on.