The New Zealand Wars
Season 1
Five-part series The New Zealand Wars took a new look at the history of Māori vs Pākehā armed conflict
Where to Watch The New Zealand Wars • Season 1
5 Episodes
- The War Britain LostE1
The War Britain LostThis excerpt from the first episode of James Belich’s award-winning history of Māori vs Pākehā armed conflict looks at growing Māori resentment, after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. The focus is on Ngā Puhi chief Hōne Heke, who sees few concessions to partnership. He is especially incensed by the refusal of the British to fly a Māori flag alongside the Union Jack. His celebrated acts of civil disobedience directed at this symbol of imperial rule flying over Kororāreka (now Russell) lead to the outbreak of war in the north. - Kings and EmpiresE2
Kings and EmpiresIn 1840 the lands as far as the eye could see were part of an empire. The empire was not British, but Maori. It’s “emperor” was the great Ngati Toa chief, Te Rauparaha. He was the greatest empire builder in Maori history, and New Zealand’s most famous poet. Kapiti was easy to attack from, but hard to attack – the same advantage that Britain had in relation to continental Europe. - Taranaki ProphetsE4
Taranaki ProphetsOn the 6th April 1864 a strong patrol set out from the fort at Kaitake, south of New Plymouth, a company each of Imperial and Colonial infantry under Captain T.J.W. Lloyd of the 57th who had just arrived from England. The patrol’s mission was to burn crops and abandoned villages. Suddenly they were attacked by Maori warriors yelling a new war cry: “Hau, hau, hau!” The surprised troops were routed, Captain Lloyd and six others were killed and 12 were wounded. - The East Coast WarsE5
The East Coast WarsThe East Coast Wars raged from Taupo to East Cape, Hauraki to Hawkes Bay, over 7 years, from 1865 to 1872, bringing fire and sword to a vast chunk of the North Island. This Seven Year War was a complicated triangle of at least eight intersecting conflicts. The East Coast Wars killed more non-combatants that the rest of the New Zealand Wars combined.
