Matakitaki Pa

A battle in 1822 when Nga Puhi armed with muskets overwhelmed the traditionally armed Waikato iwi is considered one of the key events in New Zealand’s military history. A plaque tells the story of the battle and remaining earthworks can be still be seen.

Matakitaki Pa
Our bloodiest killing field?
By Gavin McLean

The musket entered intertribal warfare in 1807 as Ngapuhi traded food, timber and sex for guns. Many early guns were notoriously inaccurate but their surprise value demoralised opponents unfamiliar with them. Sustained by another European import, the potato, war parties of 1200-3000 spread south in a domino effect, led by men such as Bay of Islands chief Hongi Hika. Hongi needed few reasons for manufacturing grievances, but Waikato had angered him by sheltering Ngati Whatua and Ngati Paoa refugees from Tamaki. In February 1822 3000 Ngapuhi paddled from Kerikeri to Tamaki, portaged to the Manukau, paddled across to Waiuku, portaged a second time and launched their canoes into the Awaroa, a tributary of the lower Waikato. Fleeing Waikato blocked the Awaroa with trees to buy time while the rest prepared to make a stand at Matakitaki.

Matakitaki pa was built on a narrow strip of land at the junction of the Waipa River and the Mangapiko Stream. The name Matakitaki covers three sections, Matakitaki to the north-west, Taura-Kohia, and Puketutu to the east. The waterways and riverbanks provided the main defences, which Waikato supplemented with the usual ditches and palisades. Perhaps 5000 to 10,000 took refuge here – Musket Wars numbers are notoriously debatable, though the smaller figure, probably the more likely, was still a very big number for a country of then only about 100,000 people.

First blood went to the defenders when Te Wherowhero and a small detachment surprised some Ngapuhi, killing perhaps 150 and capturing 90 muskets. Illustrating the cliché that pride comes before a fall, jubilant Waikato leaped up onto the parapets to shout defiance and insults, only to tumble back, felled by Ngapuhi musketry. Panic deepened when Te Wherowhero’s men fired their captured guns, spooking their own men into thinking that Ngapuhi had breached the defences. Hundreds of terrified Waikato were smothered in the ditch while trying to flee. Te Wherowhero and his men resisted for as long as they could, but had to retreat to Manguika, 8 km away. Next day they rolled Ngapuhi back to Matakitaki before withdrawing. It was an expensive lesson for Waikato. They lost perhaps 1500 and hundreds more were taken prisoner.

Guns and Roses (Portrait of Hongi Hika) Print by Lester Hall