Story: New Zealand Wars

Page 3. Wellington and Whanganui Wars, 1846–1848

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Martial law in Wellington

From the time that British settlers arrived in the Wellington area in 1839, land disputes had caused friction between Māori and settlers. British troops exchanged fire with Ngāti Tama and Ngāti Rangatahi near Fort Richmond in Hutt Valley on 3 March 1846, leading Governor George Grey to declare martial law in Wellington. Māori withdrew but on 2 April killed Lower Hutt settlers Andrew Gillespie and his son, heightening tensions. On 16 May, Māori attacked the redoubt at Boulcott’s farm, killing eight of its defenders.

Extending martial law

Military posts were constructed along the Wellington–Porirua road. Barracks were built at Paremata for British reinforcements, initially 20 men of the 58th Regiment commanded by Major Edward Last. On 18 June, hearing that a taua was approaching from the north, Grey extended martial law to Whanganui. He also travelled to Waikanae to urge Te Āti Awa to intercept the taua as it moved south, which they agreed to do.

Arresting Te Rauparaha

Grey decided to arrest Te Rauparaha, rangatira of Ngāti Toa, whom he blamed for the Hutt Valley attacks. On 23 July a naval party raided Taupō (near Porirua), the village of Te Rauparaha, and took the elderly chief into custody, along with other key allies. His nephew, Te Rangihaeata, mounted a rescue attempt by 50 fighters, but this was easily driven off.­

End of Wellington war

In August, Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Rangatahi and their allies retreated into the hills above Pāuatahanui, pursued by British troops and their Māori allies from Wellington. Te Rangihaeata and his people eventually reached Poroutawhao in Horowhenua, where they were allowed to settle in peace.

Whanganui: tensions rise

Disputed land purchases around the settlement of Whanganui also caused tensions between Māori and settlers. When Ngāti Hāua-te-rangi chief Tōpine Te Mamaku returned from fighting at Boulcott’s farm, he warned settlers not to station troops at Whanganui. However, troops arrived in December 1846. Tensions were heightened on 16 April 1847 when Whanganui chief Hapurona Ngārangi was shot, apparently accidentally, while working aboard the brig Calliope.

Attack on Gilfillan farm

Possibly in reaction to the wounding of Ngārangi, followers of Te Mamaku attacked the Gilfillan farm in the isolated Matarawa valley a few days later, killing four members of the family. The perpetrators of these killings were apprehended and all but one were hanged on 26 April.

Whanganui attack

Under the leadership of Te Mamaku, Whanganui Māori gathered upriver, and on 19 May several hundred fighters attacked Whanganui town, looting and destroying property and raiding outlying farms. A British gunboat fired shells from the river but had negligible impact. British troops and Whanganui settlers took refuge inside the Rutland stockade and withstood the attacks, which came to within 300 metres of the fortification.

Peace terms

On 20 July, the British moved out of the stockade to engage Te Mamaku at nearby St John’s Wood. An inconclusive battle left Māori with few options but to withdraw. Governor Grey pressed for peace and on 21 February 1848 announced that he had reached an agreement with Te Mamaku.

How to cite this page:

Danny Keenan, 'New Zealand Wars - Wellington and Whanganui Wars, 1846–1848', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/new-zealand-wars/page-3 (accessed 19 March 2024)

Story by Danny Keenan, published 20 Jun 2012, reviewed & revised 29 Nov 2022