There are more than 60 memorials in New Zealand to the dead of the New Zealand Wars. But their story is strikingly different to that of the memorials put up in memory of those who died in the country’s other major conflicts
This memorial stands on Taneatua Road, about 5 km south of Whakatāne. It commemorates French miller Jean Guerren, who died defending the Te Poronu flour mill on 11 March 1869
This memorial stands in the Te Puni Street urupā – burial ground – in Petone. It commemorates prominent Te Ātiawa leader Honiana Te Puni’s ‘unbroken friendship’ with Pākehā.
The Maori settlement of Ōmarunui was on the south bank of the Tūtaekuri River, about 13 km south-west of Napier. On the morning of 12 October 1866, the kāinga was the scene of a battle in which settlers and local Ngāti Kahungunu fought a Pai Mārire (Hauhau) faction of Ngāti Hineuru.
This memorial stands in front of Te Kotahitanga Hall in Nūhaka. It was erected by the New Zealand government to acknowledge the allegiance of Ihaka Whaanga (died 1875) to the Crown.
This memorial, known as the 1st Waikato Militia memorial, in fact commemorates 25 colonial and imperial soldiers and sailors from the 68th Regiment, 1st Waikato Militia and Naval Brigade who died in 1864 and 1867.
This memorial commemorates 26 men of the 43rd Regiment who were killed in action or died of wounds received at Pukehinahina (Gate Pā) and Te Ranga in mid-1864.
This memorial marks the burial site of 14 men from Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Whakatōhea, Tainui and Te Arawa who died of wounds received while defending their position at Te Ranga on 21 June 1864
This memorial obelisk commemorates unnamed men who were killed in action or died of wounds received in and around Opotiki during the New Zealand Wars. Six men known to be buried at Kelly Street are commemorated on a memorial tablet.
