Captain Gilbert Mair and his Arawa Flying Column

Captain Gilbert Mair (man on left, next to shovels) and his Arawa Flying Column at Rotokākahi Pā, (Green Lake) Kaiteriria, in February, 1870.

Gilbert Mair had been appointed to head a special unit of Māori Armed Constabulary raised to counter Te Kooti’s guerrilla tactics. This unit known as Te Arawa Flying Column pursued Te Kooti in an eight-mile running fight on 7 February 1870 near Ōhinemutu on the shores of Lake Rotorua. They inflicted heavy casualties, including Peka Makarini, one of Te Kooti's 'lieutenants'. Makarini was in possession of the great flag Te Wepu which Te Kooti had captured in 1868. This flag can be seen in the background.