The historian James Belich believed Cameron was not only the best European commander to serve in New Zealand but ‘among the best of Victorian generals’.
Governor George Grey personally led a small force that captured the Pai Mārire (Hauhau) pā at Weraroa, Waitōtara. But this had long lost its strategic significance, and the small garrison had seemed willing to surrender.
More British were killed at 'Bloody Rangiriri' than in any other battle of the New Zealand Wars. But the British victory opened the Waikato basin to the Imperial forces.
During what turned out to be his final campaign in New Zealand, General Cameron was apparently called 'The Lame Seagull' by a Maori opponent because of his slowness and timidity
With substantial artillery and 1700 men available, the British assaulted the Ngāi Te Rangi stronghold of Pukehinahina (Gate Pā), which was defended by just 230 warriors.
