Today in History

1863 Maori surrender at Rangiriri

More British were killed at 'Bloody Rangiriri' than in any other battle of the New Zealand Wars. But the British success opened the Waikato basin to the Imperial forces.

Following the invasion of Waikato in July, Maori had thrown up a defensive line from the Waikato River across a narrow strip of land to Lake Waikare. Protected to the south by swampy land, the site for the pa at Rangiriri was well chosen with the necessary escape routes worked out.

The redoubt, the work of the chief Te Wharepu, was a carefully hidden trap with concealed firing positions. The British commander, General Duncan Cameron, conceded after the battle that the strength of the redoubt had not been detected by the British. But while it was a formidable earthwork fortification, Rangiriri was incomplete. It also lacked manpower, with perhaps only 500 warriors present. Maori resources had been stretched by the recent prolonged action at Meremere.

Cameron had almost 1500 men available, plus artillery. As at Meremere, the British landed troops from river-boats behind enemy lines. Maori were driven from some earthworks during 20 November but the central position could not be breached before nightfall. The decision was made to evacuate King Tawhiao and other leaders during the night following the main British assault.

With limited numbers available, the defenders could not afford to waste warriors in an heroic stand against overwhelming odds. Around 5 a.m. on the morning of 21 November they raised a white flag. While recognised as a symbol of surrender, the white flag is also used as an invitation to negotiate.  Evidence at the time suggests that Maori at Rangiriri were not surrendering. One of those present, Lieutenant Pennefather, described events of that morning to Archdeacon Maunsell:

The Maoris hoisted the white flag. He [Pennefather] at once scrambled into their redoubt, and with his men mingled amongst them, shaking hands, and the General came up about ten minutes afterwards complimented them on their bravery and demanded their arms. To this they demurred: but the chiefs felt that to resist now was out of the question and decided upon delivering up their arms as required having first said that the reason of hoisting the white flag was that they might ask what terms they might expect.

Rangiriri saw among the heaviest casualties of the war: 132 British and about 70 Maori. The official record of events described a stunning British victory. Maori casualties were recorded as being as high as 280; according to one eyewitness, ‘the Maori were numerically superior to our troops'. Other accounts expressed disappointment at the number of Maori killed, which seemed to represent a poor return for the British casualties.

Image: detail from Waikato war map