View from Kaipopo pa site

The view from the Kaipopo pā site today, looking north to the Sugarloaf Islands — Ngā Motu — and New Plymouth.

Fears that the conflict at Waitara might spread beyond Te Ātiawa seemed to have been realised when a force of 500 Taranaki, Ngāti Ruanui and Ngā Rauru Māori assembled near Ōmata, less than 10 km south of New Plymouth. They built Kaipopo pā, which provided a good view of the main south road and the nearby settler stockade at Ōmata. The palisade was a relatively flimsy affair constructed from fence posts, railings and saplings, but it was surrounded by rifle pits.

During the assault on Kaipopo pā William Odgers was awarded the first Victoria Cross of the New Zealand Wars.