Story: Musket wars

This painting was made in 1838, towards the end of the musket wars. At right one warrior holds a musket, while another has a taiaha (fighting staff). Other warriors also hold their weapons. In the waka a chief stands and gives a speech. Artist Augustus Earle described the scene: 'A party of warriors had collected at the Bay of Islands for the purpose of making a hostile visit to a tribe on the banks of the Thames. They were detained by contrary winds; and for several days were constantly engaged in listening to speeches from their chiefs, who addressed them from a canoe hauled on shore.'