On the 9th of June 1868, warriors of the Ngāti Ruanui raided settlers who were felling trees on the banks of the Waingongoro River. Tensions had been brewing in Taranaki as large swathes of Māori land were being confiscated as a punitive measure by the Government. Tītokowaru, who had previously been preaching peace and reconciliation, led the fight back as the southern Taranaki hapu were being pushed into starvation. He proved to be acunning tactician, armed only with a small force he eluded the Government, his victories so great that at one point hundreds deserted or refused to re-enlist in the Government’s forces.

--This record is features a transcription of a telegram sent by Captain Wilson, who was reporting on a speech made my Titokowaru at the end of the conflict. A sample of the text reads..

Waited till Tītokowaru spoke and came away. He made a short speech to the following effect. He had come out to [the] coast and was desirous of settling down peacefully whether the Government would allow him to do so he could not say – as far as he was concerned he meant to settle peacefully and [not] molest the Europeans any further – natives mocked the fear manifested by settlers at Hawera as uncalled for.. [Archives Reference: AAYS 8638 AD1 114/cd CD1872/1317]

For further enquiries please email Research.Archives@dia.govt.nz

For updates on our On This Day series and news from Archives New Zealand, follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/ArchivesNZ