This 1827 painting by Augustus Earle shows Ngāpuhi leader Hongi Hika (centre, wearing huia feathers in his hair and a light-coloured cloak) at a meeting near Kororāreka. He had been hit by a musket ball during a battle and injured. Unfortunately he had not worn his suit of armour, a gift from King George IV, which had until then deflected musket fire. Hongi's wound was ultimately fatal – he died the following year.
Using this item
Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference:
G-707
Oil on canvas 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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