Lake Papaitonga’s peaceful bush-clad setting belies its bloody past. After the local Muaūpoko tribe attacked a group including Ngāti Toa chief Te Rauparaha, they became a target for reprisal raids by Ngāti Toa. Despite retreating to artificial islands they had built in Lakes Papaitonga and Horowhenua, large numbers of Muaūpoko were killed, and survivors fled to the nearby Tararua Range.
Listen to a Roadside Story about the conflict at Lake Papaitonga. Roadside Stories is a series of audio guides to places around New Zealand.
Taonga puoro courtesy of Richard Nunns
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
YouTube: Manatu Taonga's channel
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