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Story: Musket wars

Kaimātaotao pā

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Kaimātaotao pā

Kaimātaotao (right), belonging to Ngāti Tama, was located on the Waitangi River on Chatham Island. The facing it was constructed by Ngāti Mutunga to allow gunfire to be directed into Kaimātaotao from an elevated position. Both include innovations brought about by the introduction of muskets into Māori warfare.

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Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira

Reference: PD56(44c)

by Charles Heaphy

Permission of the Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Basil Keane, Musket wars – Acquisition and use of muskets, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/38080/kaimataotao-pa (accessed 14 June 2026).

Story by Basil Keane, published 23 May 2012.