The New Zealand Wars - Episode 3, The Invasion of the Waikato

We tend to think of the New Zealand Wars as small, but we need to see them in the context of their own time and place. In 1864, a peak of 18,000 troops, imperial and colonial, were mobilised. This army attacked a Māori people who numbered little more than 50,000 men, women and children. It was as though an army of 1,000,000 people had invaded the New Zealand of today.

– James Belich gives context to the size of Governor Grey's troops

Rangiriri, we are told, was a decisive victory which proved British military superiority. This Pākehā account is clear, concise and quite generous about Māori courage. The only little problem is, it is not true.

– James Belich before describing historical events at Rangiriri

Ka whawhai tonu mātou, āke! Āke! Āke! We will fight onwards, forever!

– The words of Māori inside Ōrākau pā in reply to General Duncan Cameron’s offer for them to surrender

Ko ēnei ngā tāngata i ora, i puta mai ai mātou, nē. Ka tangi au ki a rātou. Engari, me tō rātou kī anō "Kei te pai, me titiro koe ki muri." (I can't help but respect these people who gave us life, but while I weep for them, I know that they would also say: "Ok, what is done is done. Let's look to the future.")

– Rovina Maniapoto-Anderson on looking at photos of ancestors, including Rewi Maniapoto

Rawiri gave orders that all the women should leave the pā. I refused to leave, saying "If my brother stays then I am his equal. I can use a gun and I shall stay!"

– Hēni Te Kiri Karamū (Jane Foley) before the battle of Gate Pā/Pukehinahina broke out