EXPLOITS OF THE MAORIS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20956, 8 November 1939, Page 11

EXPLOITS OF THE MAORIS

; ATTEMPT TO END BRITISH RULE FALL OF LAST NATIVE STRONG HOLD As a race of warriors, the Maoris, during the second half of the last century, became known the world over. In their wanderings over half the globe they had been compelled to fend for themselves, and their final land-fall in New Zealand did not find them lacking in the art of war. Here they found a native race, the Morioris, peaceful but nevertheless resentful of the occupation of their lands by the newcomers. The Maoris drove these aborigines into the hills with such dire consequence that when the white man set foot in New Zealand he found the Moriori had almost been annihilated and their homes occupied by the victorious Maoris. Although they had forced the defenceless Morioris into submission, the Maoris did not intend to share a similar fate at the hands of the Pakeha and they rallied their forces in a vain attempt to drive the white man into the sea. Not least amongst the famous exploits of the Maoris during the New Zealand wars was the epic defence at Orakau by the tribes of the Waikato. Here, under Rewi Maniapoto, they made their last stand but the stronghold fell with a terrible toll of life.