[PG] NZ Wars: Stories of Wairau | Documentary | RNZ

I hope this history is taught in schools today. My generation didn't get educated on the history. That ignorance of mine and previous generations causes so much harm. Thank you

Little disappointed there wasn't a touch more focus on the details of the event. My understanding is a shot was accidentally fired while crossing the many waka lashed together like a big raft right across the creek. Sadly, this stray shot killed Te Rongo. Thompson's party then retreated to the high ground (many hadn’t yet crossed the creek) Te Rangihaeata and his men came out into the open to resolve matters in good faith. Thompson’s men then deliberately fired on them from the high ground without warning. Cowadice in the extreme. Te Rangihaeata then stormed the high ground and killed the captives on that ground. If you visit the memorial and look down at the creek, you can see the high ground provided a significant advantage. There was nothing dignified about Thomson actions that day, he totally underestimated Ngāti Toa... which only happens once.

An excellent documentary that really helps me contextualize my family history. My GGG Grandfather was one of those Pākehā settlers that got caught up in Wakefield's mad operation. John was a barely literate English gardener that moved with his family to NZ for a better life but struggled to find work in Whakatū Nelson. He was enlisted (or press ganged according to some stories) to crew the ship taking Wakefield to Wairau. Here he took part in and (barely) survived the fight. After escaping, he was able to return with Rev. Ironside to help bury the Pākehā dead. Afterwards, he said that thoughts of reuniting with his wife and young children was all that sustained him during this period. As a child I thought of this story of my ancestor as a epic adventure, as an adult... let's just say the complexities of this tragic, and seemingly preventable, incident will take time to process. Needless to say, my tamariki will learn about both sides of their Māori/Pākehā whakapapa. Ngā mihi nui. Thank you.

I've enjoyed watching the NZ Wars series. Keep up the good work RNZ.

I was taught the colonial narrative. In the end the truth will always come to light.

Mihi, another triumph to add to your growing collection of triumphs. A long overdue re-look at this difficult affair.

Straight to the point this is what England has always done. Love this the true history of n.z I acknowledge all the Māori lost is this battle may their spirit rest in hawaikii with our tupuna..

This is the area my forefathers came to. I had no idea of this history. Thank you so much for enlightenment

Love your videos , telling it how it was the early years of New Zealand keep up the good work.

I have always wondered why maori were so passionate and adamant about their land's and why they'd fight for it. Now, watching all these video's, I've come to realize and understand the reasoning behind their fight against colonization and especially against pakeha. Im 40 now and had no idea of the stories behind Aotearoa and the battles of the maori people had to endure to fight for such rights.

Thanks, learnt more about the background to the Wairau affair.

75 million payout and an apology from the crown will never make up for the loss Ngati Toa and many other iwi experienced from the Crown.

This a really cool idea. I never knew this series existed, I'm going to watch all of them. Not quite as detailed as Michael Kings Penguin History but some really riveting korero.

Very well researched and narrated. Ka rawe

All government buildings should be under Iwi ownership. Taxpayers can then pay the lease. That'd be fair compensation.

Make more of these 💯

Awesome watch 🥰

I love the part where George grey asks the chief what will you eat , the chief responds we will eat you beautiful

Thank you to Mihingārangi one again for bringing our retold history back into our indigenous / iwi perspective and preserving this kōrero. McKillop was an ensign of the British navy, who wrote clear accurate notes of the affray, as he was there, along with captain English also from the navy. The NZ Company had not attained the lawful right to have an official armed force for Nelson and wairau appointed to them, so they acquired soldiers paraded as simple farmers. Do not be mistaken, Police magistrate Thompson (was suffering from syphilis hence his apparent rage filled outbursts) was egged on by Arthur and the Wakefields to make an example of Te Rauparaha and it was at a public meeting that he was overheard by Ngati Toa, calling Te Rauparaha a thuggish bully , a lowly dog that should be taught a lesson, and " that he could be tempted even by a piece of damper bread" that was the insult returned, for it was ngau tuara kōrero of our Chief and like many before, each insult would be accounted and answered to. A wero by te Waaka te Kotua was also delivered and Thompson stood on the taki. In Mckillops diary he remembers hearing fire English fire, not forward English forward. The first shot took Te Rongo. The archeological evidence found at the exhumation and checking of the skull of Te Rongo determined by a current day (1990s) forensic police investigator, she was killed by a marksman shot to temple to temple. My Whānau remembers this story too well because mum Raiha Waitohi Waaka retold this kōrero from her grand aunt Kui Mata Kotua who was alive at that time .

So so sad. Maori have been so wronged. This had me in tears