St Michael's Church at Ohaeawai

St Michael's Anglican Church at Ohaeawai occupies the spot on which the battle was fought in Winter 1845.

Kawiti’s garrison of little more than 100 warriors withstood a week-long bombardment from the British before inflicting heavy casualties on their attackers on 1 July 1845.

Ohaeawai, the prototype of the ‘modern pa’, was a major advance in the Maori response to new weaponry. The use of firing and communication trenches gave the occupants maximum protection while allowing rapid movement within the pa. Anti-artillery bunkers (rua) were also set into the ground and covered with logs, stones and matted flax. Each could house 15-20 warriors in relative safety.