NZ Wars: Stories of Tainui

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. Made with the support of NZ On Air.

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. Mihingaarangi Forbes and William Ray tell the stories of the most famous, and infamous conflicts of the war: Rangiriri and Rangiaaowhia. Made with the support of NZ On Air.

Through the 1840s and 50s, Waikato Maaori had been close allies of Paakehaa settlers living in Auckland. So why did war break out between the two factions early in 1863? Together Mihingaarangi Forbes and William Ray investigate the origins of the largest, most significant war between Maaori and the Crown in New Zealand history. The Waikato War.