Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
LAND WARS
Five separate major conflicts made up what are now collectively known as the New
Zealand Wars (also referred to as the Land Wars or Maori Wars). Starting in North-
land and moving throughout the North Island, the wars had many complex causes,
but whenua(land) was the one common factor. In all five wars, Maori fought both
for and against the government, on whose side stood the Imperial British Army,
Australians and NZ's own Armed Constabulary. Land confiscations imposed on the
Maori as punishment for involvement in these wars are still the source of conflict
today, with the government struggling to finance compensation for what are now
acknowledged to have been illegal seizures.
NNorthla
d war (1844-46) 'Hone Heke's War' began with the famous chopping of
the flagpole at Kororareka (now Russell) and 'ended' at Ruapekapeka (south of
Kawakawa). In many ways, this was almost a civil war between rival Ngapuhi fac-
tions, with the government taking one side against the other.
Fiirst T
thland w
i war (1860-61) Starting in Waitara, the first Taranaki war inflamed
the passions of Maori across the North Island.
Waiikato w
t Taranaaki w
o war (1863-64) The largest of the five wars. Predominantly involving the -
Kingitanga (King Movement;
Click here
)
, the Waikato war was caused in part by
what the government saw as a challenge to sovereignty. However, it was land,
again, that was the real reason for friction. Following defeats such as Rangiriri, the
Waikato people were pushed entirely from their own lands, south into what be-
came known as the King Country.
SSecond T
i war (1865-69) Caused by Maori resistance to land confiscations
stemming from the first Taranaki war, this was perhaps the war in which the Maori
came closest to victory, under the brilliant, one-eyed prophet-general Titokowaru.
However, once he lost the respect of his warriors (probably through an indiscretion
with the wife of one of his warriors), the war too was lost.
East C
d Taranaaki w
t Coast w
t war (1868-72) Te Kooti's holy guerrilla war. For more on Te Kooti,
Click
here
.
Errol Hunt
In 1984, NZ's third great reforming government was elected - the fourth Labour gov-
ernment, led nominally by David Lange and in fact by Roger Douglas, the minister of
finance. This government adopted an antinuclear foreign policy, delighting the left, and a
more-market economic policy, delighting the right. NZ's numerous economic controls
were dismantled with breakneck speed. Middle NZ was uneasy about the antinuclear
policy, which threatened NZ's ANZUS alliance with Australia and the US. But in 1985
