The sacking of Kororareka shook the settler population. Over £50,000
worth of property was lost. In Auckland panic set in. Some settlers
sold their land for whatever price they could obtain, and left the
country as quickly as possible.
Maori learnt an important lesson at Puketutu – the British were a
formidable foe in open battle. This would influence the tactics used in
future battles
The vastly experienced Henry Despard had now arrived as the new
commander of all British troops in New Zealand. He was keen to cash in
on Heke’s set back at Te Ahuahu. He assembled the largest British force
yet seen in New Zealand and moved on Kawiti’s new pa at Ohaeawai
Ruapekapeka may have been a tactical victory for the British. But many
consider the battle to be a draw. Heke and Kawiti had escaped with
their forces largely intact. The terms of the peace settlement that
followed suggests that the Maori had enjoyed a strategic victory.
Historian James Belich contends that Grey won the propaganda war and
Kawiti and Heke the real war on the battlefield. Others argue Belich’s
revisionism goes too far and maintain that Grey’s decisive action sent
a powerful message to Kawiti and Heke about the nature of their new
opponent.
