New Zealand Wars (Part 1)

Hunger for land and the rise of Kingitanga prompted Governor George Grey to invade Waikato in 1863. Fighting spread over years and into the Bay of Plenty, devastating Maori. But it was not as one-sided as the British had expected.

In part five, Governor George Grey send troops south from Auckland, invading the Waikato. But Kingitanga fight back and a new phase of warfare begins in New Zealand that would see thousands of lives lost.

Watch the video version of the episode here

Topics covered:

• The relationship between Waikato Māori and Pākehā colonists.
• The foundation of the Kiingitanga Movement.
• The Hutt War and the First Taranaki War.
• The Waikato War, including the Battle of Rangiaowhia and the siege of Ōrākau.
• Gate Pā and the Tauranga War.
• Frustrations of the British Authorities with Governor Grey's actions in NZ.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details