Te Wheoro's Redoubt

Te Wheoro, sometimes spelled Te Whero, and sometimes known as Wiremu Te Morehu (William Morris) or Rehu, and also as Maipapa, was a central figure in the Waikato wars, not because he was an aggressor, on the contrary, he was known as a skilled diplomat and took the side of government over the pervading Kingitanga movement of Waikato-Tainui. After government forces took Rangiriri Pa in an epic battle here on November 20, 1863, Te Wheoro redoubt was built to house the colonising force left to defend the ambitions of the pakeha settlers and Governor Gray.

After the wars, and upon seeing the massive confiscations of land from Waikato Maori, Chief Te Wheoro became more outspoken and critical of the government, commencing a long career in politics. He even quit a job as a Native Land Court adjudicator in disgust, stating that the land always went to the Maori who had promised to sell it. Te Wheoro became a Member of Parliament but he was not impressed with the processes at work there either. His sympathies eventually ended up with the Kingitanga, re aligning the Rangiriri and the Ngati Naho people with the rest of Waikato-Tainui. Ever the diplomat, went with King Tawhiao in 1884 to complain to Queen Victoria about mistreatment by the New Zealand Government.

When Rangiriri Pa and Te Wheoro's Redoubt were finally returned by the government in 2016, the ceremony took place with the deed presented to the present King, Kiingi Tuheitia. It is the Ngati Naho people of Rangiriri who are the tangata whenua and they have taken the opportunity, combined with their location on the highway, and the fame of their local hotel, to turn toward tourism and education, welcoming groups to learn about their history.

Wahi Tapu status applies here, to the hill, the redoubt and Lake Kopuera, this designates the area as sacred, out of respect for the bloodshed which has taken place. Te Wheoro, who live until 1895 was initially buried near here at Maurea, but was moved to Taupiri, the sacred mountain.

This is a cornerstone stop on Heritage New Zealand's Driving Tour, The Waikato Wars. Deeper information on the history of Ngati Naho is available at the nearby Rangiriri Cultural and Heritage Centre.