Story: New Zealand Wars

Roadside Stories: Te Ruapekapeka, site of Kawiti's pā

During the Northern War of the mid-1840s, Ngāpuhi leader Te Ruki Kawiti built a complex at Te Ruapekapeka which included fortified underground shelters. After a bombardment by British artillery, Kawiti and his men abandoned Te Ruapekapeka in January 1846. Its remains can still be seen today. Listen to a Roadside Story about Kawiti’s pā.

Roadside Stories is a series of audio guides to places around New Zealand.

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Taonga puoro courtesy of Richard Nunns.

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How to cite this page:

Danny Keenan, 'New Zealand Wars - Northern War, 1845–1846', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/interactive/45052/roadside-stories-te-ruapekapeka-site-of-kawitis-pa (accessed 29 March 2024)

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