What happened at Wairau?

What happened at Wairau?

On 17 June 1843, 22 Europeans and four Māori died when an armed party of New Zealand Company settlers clashed with Ngāti Toa over the purchase of land in the Wairau valley. Nine of the Europeans had been executed after surrendering, and outraged settlers demanded action against Ngāti Toa.

Why did the British want New Zealand land?

Britain was motivated by the desire to forestall the New Zealand Company and other European powers (France established a very small settlement at Akaroa in the South Island later in 1840), to facilitate settlement by British subjects and, possibly, to end the lawlessness of European (predominantly British and American) …

Who won the Wairau war?

The Maori killed all the remaining captives, including Thompson, Samuel Cottrell, a member of the original survey team; interpreter John Brooks, and Captain Wakefield. Four Māori died and three were wounded in the incident. The British lost 22 dead and five wounded.

What caused the NZ land wars?

War dominated the North Island in the 1860s. The causes of the conflict have been much debated, but settler hunger for land and the government’s desire to impose real sovereignty over Māori were key factors.

What were the consequences of the Wairau incident?

The aftermath. In all, four Māori died while 22 Europeans were killed, including Thompson and Wakefield. In the immediate aftermath, a European search party arrived and the Pākehā bodies were buried on the hill. Fearing Pākehā retribution, Marlborough Ngāti Toa left the region for the safety of the North Island.

What started the Wairau affray?

The Wairau Affray of 1843 was the first of many land wars in New Zealand, leaving 22 European settlers and between 4-9 Maori dead following a brief but bloody battle on the banks of the Tuamarina River in Marlborough. It was caused by dubious land sales between Ngati Toa and the New Zealand Company.

Why did the British take Māori land?

In 1838, a group from Britain called the New Zealand Company began buying land from iwi to sell to settlers whom they brought to New Zealand. They did this to make money. The British settlers thought that they owned the land after they bought it from Māori.

Why was New Zealand important to the British Empire?

New Zealand played a small but useful part in the British Empire’s war effort, and its essential war aim was achieved with the defeat of Germany and its allies in late 1918. The war had a major impact on constitutional arrangements within the British Empire, and it affected New Zealand’s international status.

Why did Hone Heke want the Treaty?

Self Determination. Heke spoke persuasively in favour of signing an agreement with the British. But he, along with many other Maori in the north, soon became disillusioned. He saw that government actions were undermining rangatiratanga (chiefly authority).

Why did British want Māori land?

Reasons why chiefs signed the treaty included wanting controls on sales of Māori land to Europeans, and on European settlers. They also wanted to trade with Europeans, and believed the new relationship with Britain would stop fighting between tribes.

What is the meaning of Wairau?

many waters
The literal meaning of Wairau is “many waters”, but the real meaning is obscure.

How did New Zealand claim the Wairau plains?

However, the deed of sale was later transferred to the New Zealand Company. It was then cited by the Company as a basis for a claim lodged for possession of the Wairau Plains. This claim was resisted by Ngati Toa, who themselves laid claim, under Maori custom law, as ‘take raupatu’, land taken by conquest.

Where did the Wairau incident take place in New Zealand?

On 17 June 1843, 22 European settlers and four Māori were killed when an armed party of New Zealand Company settlers clashed with Ngāti Toa over the purchase of land in the Wairau Valley, near modern-day Blenheim. The Wairau incident – The Wairau incident | NZHistory, New Zealand history online

Why was the Battle of Wairau important to history?

However, on reflection, FitzRoy concluded that the settlers had been wrong in attempting to enforce a claim on the Wairau, a claim for which no legal basis existed. This confrontation at Wairau is regarded by some historians as the first engagement of the New Zealand Wars.

When did Te Rauparaha return to the Wairau Valley?

This was the iwi displaced by Te Rauparaha’s heke in the 1820s. After the massacre Te Rauparaha never returned to the Wairau Valley. Later he was captured by the British for organizing an uprising in the Hutt valley and was imprisoned on a ship in Auckland.