The Wairau incident

Also known as the ‘Wairau Affray’ and the ‘Wairau Massacre’, this was the first serious clash of arms between Māori and British settlers after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Four Māori and 22 Europeans were killed.

New Zealand Company settlers and Ngāti Toa clashed over land in the Wairau Valley, south-east of the Nelson settlement, which the Company claimed to have purchased. Ngāti Toa disputed this, obstructed a survey of the land and burnt down the surveyors’ huts. Ngāti Toa chief Te Rauparaha insisted that the matter be dealt with by William Spain, who had been appointed to investigate land purchases made prior to British annexation. Instead, warrants were issued for the arrest of Te Rauparaha and his nephew Te Rangihaeata on charges of arson.

An armed posse of Europeans set out from Nelson to arrest Te Rauparaha and Te Rangihaeata. Fighting broke out - possibly accidentally - and several people were killed on both sides, including Te Rongo, one of Te Rangihaeata’s wives. Many of the surviving Europeans were surrounded and forced to surrender. Te Rauparaha may have been inclined to spare their lives had it not been for Te Rongo’s death. Instead, he accepted his nephew’s demand for utu and the prisoners were killed – most by Te Rangihaeata with his own mere.

The incident heightened fears among Pākehā of a Māori insurrection. When the new governor, Robert FitzRoy, arrived six months later the settler community demanded action against Ngāti Toa. Even had he been so inclined, FitzRoy lacked the resources to fight a war. He enraged settlers by arguing that Ngāti Toa had been provoked by the unreasonable actions of the Europeans.

Image: ‘Scene of the Wairau massacre’