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NZ Wars - Stories of Tainui

2021 47m Web
  • Documentary
  • Māori
  • NZ History

Governor Grey's invasion of Waikato in 1863 had two objectives; to obtain land for settlers and to 'annihilate' the Kīngitanga movement. In this episode of Radio New Zealand's award-winning series, presenter Mihingarangi Forbes interviews Waikato iwi historians, including Rahui Papa and Dr Tom Roa, about the origins of Grey's decision, and its bloody execution. Vastly outnumbered by British troops, Waikato iwi used trench systems around pā in retaliation. There are dramatic reenactments of battles at Rangiriri and Ōrākau where Rewi Maniapoto issued his cry of eternal defiance on behalf of his people.