NZ Wars Collection: Stories of Waitara
A collection of stories about the New Zealand Wars, focusing on the conflict at Waitara in 1860. Tim Watkin examines the causes of the war and the arrival of his ancestors amidst the tensions.
Episodes
Stories of Waerenga-a-Hika
In 1865, government forces planned an expedition against the Pai Mārire community at Waerenga-a-Hika pā, near Gisborne. The pā had become a refuge for several hundred people who made up over half the Tūranga Māori population, fleeing the East Coast Wars. Government agent Donald McLean assembled a mixed force of Ngāti Porou volunteers and European troops, including Military Settlers and the East Ca
Stories of Waerenga-a-Hika | Trailer
The sixth chapter explores the siege and its devastating consequences for the people of Te Tai Rawhiti, illuminating a significant event in Aotearoa's history. Watch the video documentary version of this series here: rnz.co.nz/videoGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Stories of Tauranga Moana | Episode 2
On the eve the battle, British troops have ringfenced Gate Pa. Māori are out-numbered 7:1. Can they survive the biggest artillery bombardment ever on New Zealand soil and face down the might of empire? It's a clash between the world's most powerful artillery and revolutionary pa design, and one that spills over into more violence at Te Ranga. Host Justine Murray continues her journey into her whā
Stories of Tauranga Moana | Episode 1
Paraone Koikoi was at the Battle of Gate Pa in 1864, when Tauranga Moana iwi bested the British army in one of the most humiliating defeats in its history. Now, 160 years later, his great-great-great grand-daughter combines her personal story with rigorous history to tell the story of a blockade, bombardment and a famous battle. In episode one, 600 British troops land in Tauranga, Māori return fro
Stories of Tauranga Moana | Trailer
On the morning of 29 April 1864, British colonial forces opened fire on Pukehinahina Gate Pā. This was the first engagement of a military campaign waged against the iwi of Tauranga Moana and their allies. On the 160th anniversary of this momentous event, RNZ launches the two-part podcast series NZ Wars: Stories of Tauranga Moana.This episode was first released in April 2024.Watch the video documen
Stories of Tainui | Episode 3
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.This episode was first released on 14 February 2021.Watch the video documentary here.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Stories of Tainui | Episode 2
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. This episode was first released on 13 February 2021.Watch the video documentary here.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Stories of Tainui | Episode 1
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.This episode was first released on 12 February 2021.Watch the video documentary here.Go to this episode
Stories of Waitara | Waitara and One Family's Journey
Shots fired in Taranaki in 1860 sparked decades of conflict and the country's longest running war. The rapidly growing settler population is desperate for more land while local iwi are more reluctant to sell. In part three, we look at the New Zealand Company's dodgy deals and resulting battles, Ngāti Maru's fight to reclaim the land and one settler family's dreams as they arrive amidst the years o
Stories of Ruapekepeka | The Battle of Ruapekapeka
As relations between Māori and Pākehā sour in the years after the Treaty of Waitangi, Hone Heke makes his famous attacks on the flagstaff at Kororāreka/Russell in 1845. This sparks the NZ Wars proper, with the fight for sovereignty, development of trench warfare and inconclusive battles that would mark the conflict as it spread across the motu.This episode was first released on 1 December 2017.Wat
Stories of Wairau | Episode 2
Tensions over land at Wairau, and injustices and insults against Ngāti Toa leaders reach their boiling point. Arthur Wakefield, the leader of the Nelson settlement decides to seize the land by force. But the former British Navy Captain has severely underestimated his adversaries... and there will be tragic results.This episode was first released on 3 February 2023.Watch the video documentary here.
Stories of Wairau | Episode 1
On June 17th 1843, a posse of European settlers head to the Wairau Valley planning to arrest renowned chief Te Rauparaha and his nephew, Te Rangihaeata. A gun battle breaks out and 26 people are killed, including several Pakeha prisoners executed in the aftermath. What started it all? And why?This episode was first released on 3 February 2023.Watch the video documentary here.On June 17th 1843, a p
Stories of Wairau | Trailer
The NZ Wars series goes back to the first shots fired... to Wairau in June 1843.This series was first released in February 2023.The violence erupted one summer's morning in 1843 on the Wairau Plains, at the top of the South Island. A posse of 49 or more settlers sent to arrest renowned rangatira Te Rauparaha and his nephew Te Rangihaeata had tracked them down to the Tuamarino Stream, about 60
Introducing: NZ Wars Collection
Welcome to NZ Wars Collection, Kohikohinga o nga pakanga o Aotearoa, RNZ's latest superfeed. Each chapter zeroes in on one of the many wars, battles, and skirmishes that make up what are collectively known as the New Zealand Wars. Now, in this feed, we’re bringing all our New Zealand Wars stories together, right here on your favourite podcast app, with another chapter on the way.Go to this episode
