On 31 March 1864, the battle of Ōrākau - the last conflict of the Waikato War - began when a large force of Imperial British troops attacked and besieged a pā defended by severely outnumbered representatives of at least nine iwi. Of these, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngai Tūhoe and Ngāti Raukawa were the core, the latter two iwi having decided to honour past support and kinship links. These 200 to 250 warriors (alongside non-combatants, including women and children), would cause what James Belich described, 'the lost chance of decisive British victory in the Waikato War'.

For information on the battle itself, visit www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/war-in-waikato/battle-of-orakau. The National Library of New Zealand blog also has information on Ōrākau and past events: natlib.govt.nz/blog/posts/defending-orakau

A key feature of the battle was the pā, constructed amongst a grove of peach trees and around 80 feet in length by 40 feet in width. For the times it was relatively low and flat, and initial British observations of its three-rail fence and earthworks did not reveal the extent of its defences. Principally designed by Ngāti Raukawa chief Te Paerata, the incomplete pā enabled a strong defence, but it lacked both an adequate water supply and an escape route. This led to the siege and dramatic breakout on 2 April.

The record above is a large topographic plan and cross section of the Ōrākau pā, probably drawn by Robert Anderson in early July 1864. According to Ngāti Maniapoto the plan is not quite accurate in terms of the outer contour and fence, but it shows the many trenches and dug-outs, as well as the sap dug by the British troops. The record comes from a series of roll plans created by the Lands and Surveys Office, held in the Auckland Office of Archives New Zealand.

Archives Reference: BAPP 24804 A1721 Box 179/a Green 34 www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=23896260

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