WAIKATOS’ LAST STAND

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

WAIKATOS’ LAST STAND

EPIC OF MAORI WARS GALLANT DEFENCE BY KINGITES BRITISH FORCES SURPRISED Emblazoned on the hat badge of the Waikato Regiment are the words “Ka Whawhai tonu matou, ake, ake t ake,” recalling an episode in the history of the Waikato which cannot fail but stir the imagination all New Zealanders. At the battle of Orakau, the last stand of the gallant defenders of Rangiriri, which brought to a close a romantic era in the history of the Dominion, this stern reply “We will fight you forever, forever, forever,” was issued by the native forces in response to General Cameron’s demands for their surrender. There was no thought of laying down their arms; rather would they stand by their King in a last and glorious effort to preserve that sacred heritage of their race. For three days they held out against overwhelming odds, parrying every blow frem the oncoming host with a determination that only the Maori could display. Cameron clung to the belief that sooner or later this little band would beg for a truce. His belief was badly founded. On the third day, at a carefully chosen time, the natives stole from the pa and fled through the British ranks in a daring but costly retreat. This brought the Waikato War to a close, and paved the way to peaceful settlement and the founding of the greatest dairying district in the Dominion.

It was almost two years since the campaign of the Kingites opened and it said much for the Maori patriots that they held together undismayed by the losses they suffered. Orakau was but one of the many gallant stands of the native legions, but it Stands pre-eminent in the history of the war, mainly because of the great act of leadership of Rewi Maniapoto, whose refusal to surrender gained for him the admiration of his enemies. Beginning of the War The Waikato War had its beginnings in a schoolroom at Te Awamutu where the Government agent, Sir John Gorst, had his headquarters. Led by Rewi, 80 warriors marched from Kihikihi to Te Awamutu and demanded that Gorst leave the district and return to Auckland. To add vigour to his

order Rewi addressed a letter to Sir George Grey reminding the Governor of this threat "to dig around the Maori King till he fell.” Gorst departed but his wise action did not avert the outbreak of war a few months later, on July 17, 1863. Fear for the future safety of their lands had imbued the Waikato tribes with a determination to resist the white settlers and to preserve their right of self-goyernment. The authorities, too, realised the danger which was threatening and on July 12, General Cameron, who had been despatched with a band of colonial and British troops to maintain order, crossed the Mangatawhiriwhiri River. Five days later Maori and Pakeha warriors drew up in battle array on Koheroa Ridge for the first engagement. The bayonets of Cameron’s men drove the native defenders back as far as Rangiriri, where they prepared for another stubborn defensive. Again they were defeated and the gates of Ngaruawahia, the seat of Maori Kingship, were opened to General Cameron. Gathering together their shattered forces the Waikatos strengthened their defences at Rangiaowhia. After a gallant attempt to force the enemy back the natives once more were overwhelmed. Undeterred by the succession of reverses the Waikatos determined to make a last stand at Orakau. On April 4, Rewi and 320 followers, comprising both men and women, stood ready to meet the 1800 British and colonial troops mobilised to force them into submission. Cameron’s men skirmished up to within firing distance of the pa and the curtain rose on one of the greatest dramas ever enacted in the days of colonial conquest. Attacks Repulsed Premature assaults by the British infantry were hurled back with remarkable consistency by the gallant little band of defenders, who with each success, broke into a frantic war-dance, terrifying to those uninitiated in the ways of Maori warfare. Demands for the surrender of the pa and native garrison were issued by Cameron when the fight entered upon the second day, but the reply was always the same, “We shall fight you, forever, forever, forever.” On the third day the fight had not lost its intensity. Late in the afternoon a tremendous rattle of musketry issued from the battlements of the pa. Almost simultaneously the rear of the pa developed an appearance of unusual activity as the Maori defenders prepared to evacuate. Hurried orders were issued to the attacking force but already Rewi and his war-worn companions had broken through the British lines and were in retreat across the broken swampland which lay between them and the Punul River. In hot pursuit came Cameron’s men and less than half the native force reached tile banks of the river in safety. Thus the war in the Waikato came to a close. The way was prepared for the settlement of what was to prove one of the wealthiest dairying districts in the world.