More British soldiers were killed at ‘Bloody Rangiriri’ than in any other battle of the New Zealand Wars, but their victory opened the Waikato basin to the imperial forces.
Following the invasion of Waikato (see 12 July), Māori built a defensive line across a narrow strip of land between the Waikato River and Lake Waikare.
The central redoubt, the work of the chief Te Wharepū, was a carefully hidden trap with concealed firing positions. But the formidable fortification was incomplete. It was also under-manned, with only about 500 fighters present, one-third of the British strength. The prolonged defence of downstream Meremere had stretched Māori resources – and it was planting season.
On the afternoon of the 20th, imperial troops were landed by boat behind the Māori lines and the outlying earthworks were cleared. The central position remained unbreached despite repeated frontal assaults. Forty-seven British and 35 Māori were killed in a few hours.
At daybreak next morning the 180 Māori still in the pā raised a white flag, possibly in an attempt to negotiate. Instead, the British took them captive.
Read more on NZHistory
Taranaki and Waikato wars – New Zealand's 19th-century warsRangiriri NZ Wars cemetery arch – Memorials registerRangiriri NZ Wars army memorial – Memorials registerRangiriri – War in WaikatoRangiriri pā - roadside stories – War in WaikatoMercer's unusual memorial - roadside stories – Ex Belgium Rangiriri – 100 New Zealand Places
External links
How to cite this page
'British capture Rangiriri', URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/maori-surrender-at-rangiriri, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 17-Sep-2020
