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 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
