Mahoetahi

On 6 November 1860 a party of Ngati Haua together with some Waikato and Hauraki was attacked here at this unfinished Pa and defeated by General Pratt with his force of over 600 troops and militia. Ngati Haua were reported to have lost 31 men, General Pratt four. Subsequently a stockade was erected nearby. There is a DOC Historic Reserve, with a stone cross on the hill bearing the inscription:

Me whakamaharatanga I nga Rangatira Toa o Waikato. A Wetini Taiporutu ma I hinga ki konei tata I te Parekura I turia I te 6 Nowema 1860

In remembrance of the brave chiefs of Waikato, of Wetini Taiporutu and his comrades who fell close to this spot in the battle fought on the 6th November 1860.

The battle at Mahoetahi was the first major British success after the defeat at Pukatakauere.

The tree standing alone may or may not be the same single Mahoe tree from which is derived the name Mahoetahi. A memorial for this battle is in the grounds of St Mary's in New Plymouth. The original wooden cross which was replaced by the stone one is at Puke Ariki.