The invasion of the Waikato united the various factions within the Kingitanga, and during the war Kingitanga forces had some victories despite being overwhelmed in terms of manpower and resources.
Politicians and Maori leaders ceremonially turned the ‘first sod’ of the central section of the main trunk line – a project that would take 23 years to complete.
This photo was taken to mark the digging of the first sod for the main trunk railway in Ngati Maniapoto territory, 15 April 1885. The group stands at the confiscation line at the southern bank of the Puniu River.
