Moturoa NZ Wars memorial

This memorial to the battle of Moturoa stands a short distance south of the pā site. It was unveiled on 7 November 1993, the 125th anniversary of the battle.

The memorial records the names of 22 colonial troops and one allied Māori who were killed during the attack on 7 November 1868, or died later of their wounds. A similar number were wounded in the battle. Only one of their opponents, who were led by the renowned Ngāti Ruanui leader Riwha Tītokowaru, is known to have been killed. Though Inspector John Roberts, Henare Kepa Te Ahururu and Major Keepa Te Rangihiwinui were awarded the rare New Zealand Cross for their bravery at Moturoa, there was no hiding the fact that this was a disastrous defeat for a colonial army that was struggling to meet the twin threat from Tītokowaru and Te Kooti on opposite sides of the North Island.  Read more about this battle.