NZ Wars Collection

Through the 1840s and 50s, Waikato Māori had been close allies of Pākehā settlers living in Auckland. So why did war break out between the two factions early in 1863? Over three episodes we investigate the origins of the largest, most significant war between Māori and the Crown - the Waikato War.

Governor George Grey launches his invasion of Waikato. Kiingitanga forces are heavily outnumbered and outgunned, but the invasion doesn't go smoothly for the British. Hear the stories of the most famous, and infamous conflicts of the war: Rangiriri and Rangiaaowhia.

The war on Waikato reaches its climactic conclusion at the Battle of Ooraakau. But that's just the beginning of the struggle for Kiingitanga. Mihingaarangi Forbes and William Ray look at the aftermath of a war which changed Aotearoa forever.