Story: Musket wars

War speech (1st of 2)

War speech

This painting was made in 1838, towards the end of the musket wars. At right one warrior holds a musket, while another has a taiaha (fighting staff). Other warriors also hold their weapons. In the waka a chief stands and gives a speech. Artist Augustus Earle described the scene: 'A party of warriors had collected at the Bay of Islands for the purpose of making a hostile visit to a tribe on the banks of the Thames. They were detained by contrary winds; and for several days were constantly engaged in listening to speeches from their chiefs, who addressed them from a canoe hauled on shore.'

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: PUBL-0015-09
Hand-coloured lithograph by Augustus Earle

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Basil Keane, 'Musket wars - Musket wars overview', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/38076/war-speech (accessed 28 April 2024)

Story by Basil Keane, published 20 Jun 2012