Story: Ngāpuhi

In 1845 war broke out in the Bay of Islands when the Ngāpuhi leader, Hōne Heke, objecting to British authority, cut down the Kororāreka flagstaff and attacked the town. This sketch by John Williams shows the subsequent attack by British soldiers on Hōne Heke’s pā at Ōhaeawai. Brilliantly reinforced by the chief Kawiti, who employed underground bunkers, the pā withstood the attack. Of the British force, 41 were killed and over 70 were wounded.