Moutoa Island

By 1864, many Maori tribes were desperate to resist the confiscation and occupation of their land by European settlers. Te Ua Haumene of Taranaki founded the Pai Marire or Hau Hau faith. Success in an ambush of troops and military settlers led to a confidence that the beliefs and practices of the religion would prove effective in war against the Pakeha. Members of Upper Whanganui tribes were converted to the new faith and resolved to attack the town of Wanganui. However, they were opposed by the Ngati Hau who were joined at Ranana by other tribes from the lower river.
A challenge was issued to the Pai Marire war party. “If you attempt to force your way down river we shall fight you on Moutoa.” It was agreed to fight on the morning of 14 May 1864. The Hau Hau came down the river in their decorated war canoes the night before the battle. In the early morning hundreds of supporters of the two sides, mostly Maoris, watched from opposite banks of the river. Challenges were exchanged for some two hours before the first shot was fired. After some initial success the Pai Marire (Hau Hau) force lost ground, suffering in total 50 dead and a similar number wounded.
The Ngati Hua had defended their mana and authority over the lower river though they suffered 15 dead and 30 wounded. Their success benefited the European settlers in Wanganui who, in December 1865, erected New Zealand’s first war memorial in the Wanganui riverbank park known as Moutoa Gardens or Pakaitore. The memorial lists the local Maori killed at Moutoa.