War on the Whanganui River

Moutoa Gardens monument, Wanganui
Inscription: 'To the memory of those brave men who fell at Moutoa 14th May 1864 in defence of law an order against fanaticism and barbarism. This monument is erected by the Province of Wellington.'

The Pai Marire religion divided Maori. Some supported it, but others mistrusted its political intent. Conflict between its supporters and opponents broke out in several parts of the North Island in the 1860s.

Fighting on the Whanganui River

In 1864, upper Whanganui River tribes who had converted to Pai Marire came downriver with the intention of taking the town of Wanganui. The lower river iwi successfully defended their mana over the area by making a stand against their cousins at Moutoa, a small island downstream from Ranana. Up to 50 Hauhau and 16 defenders were killed, including one European, a lay brother from the nearby Catholic mission. This resulted in a long-term division between river Maori.

The grateful European citizens of Wanganui dug deep into their pockets, commissioning a statue and flag to honour loyal Maori who had stood firm against the Hauhau threat.

European settlers, such as those in Wanganui in 1864, often mistook the motives of Maori who fought against each other. Kupapa Maori (those who opposed other Maori) were seen as loyal to the Crown. Europeans did not understand that Maori often fought in defence of the priorities of iwi or hapu, and had their own reasons for opposing movements such as Pai Marire.

Related links

• Carl Völkner biography
• Kereopa Te Rau biography
• New Zealand's 19th-century wars
• Ngati Porou
• Pai Marire
• Te Ua Haumene biography
• The Hauhau/Pai Marire