Why it’s important that we remember the Land Wars

OPINION: Why should we remember the Land Wars?

Although it was a relatively small conflict in the history of the world, it changed the political, economic, social and cultural identity of this country.

Whether we called the series of battles the Land Wars, the New Zealand Wars, the Taranaki Wars or the Ma¯ori Wars, this was a complex and fascinating time in the history of this land.

The government has recently proclaimed they are considering commemorating the Land Wars with a special day.

This was revealed when the government handed the land deed of Rangiriri Pa¯ back to Waikato iwi last week.

If we commemorate Anzac Day and the thousands who have died in conflicts abroad, should we not also remember the Land Wars?

Especially when it could be argued the Land Wars were the last serious conflict fought in this country.

A collective amnesia, or perhaps shame, has buried the Land Wars in forgetfulness as if hoping that they should go away.

It’s not as if Land War events haven’t been observed in the past.

Kelvin Day wrote in Contested Ground: Te Whenua i Tohea about the various anniversaries in Taranaki when veterans of the battle of Waireka gathered in 1891, 1897, 1900, 1910 and 1960.

Ma¯ori were only present at the last gathering.

The Land Wars started on 17 March 1860 in Waitara when Te Teira of Te Ati Awa attempted to sell his share of land to Governor Thomas Gore Browne.

This was bitterly opposed by Wiremu Kingi Te Rangitake and other people who had an interest in the land.

For years there had been conflict brewing between Ma¯ori and Pa¯keha¯ settlers in Taranaki because of the lack of available land for settlement when they arrived.

Due to increasing demand and internal discord, iwi and hapu¯ put a halt to land sales in 1854 in the proclamation of Taiporohe¯nui.

When Gore Brown supported Te Teira and gave approval to start surveying the disputed land, protest quickly escalated into armed conflict.

When the British fired at Te Kohia Pa¯, the fires of war were lit in Taranaki.

The Battle of Waireka was fought on 28 March 1860, eleven days after the war started in Waitara.

South of New Plymouth a force of Taranaki iwi and hapu¯ occupied the Tapuae ridge above the Waireka stream, on the southern border of the Omata block (sold by Taranaki iwi in 1847).

A few settlers had remained on their land, while most fled to New Plymouth.

Fearing for the safety of the people remaining in Omata, a combined force of British solders and settler volunteers set out to rescue them.

Of course, these settlers were in no danger and had in fact been placed under the protection of Porikapa Te Weriweri and other rangatira (chiefs).

The rangatira had declared that the people (including Portugese and French settlers) who had taken shelter at Reverend Henry Brown’s house were inviolate. They were not at risk. In the hindsight of history, the battle of Waireka was inconclusive, with both sides withdrawing from Waireka.

But war spread throughout the country, with iwi fighting against the Crown, with the Crown, and iwi sitting on the sidelines.

In Taranaki, the Land Wars lasted from 1860 through to 1881.

On 5 November 1881 the Armed Constabulary marched to Parihaka Pa¯ and invaded the papaka¯inga (settlement).

After a prolonged period of passive resistance to land sales from the people of Parihaka, the government of the day chose armed action and invaded the settlement.

By choosing to reset 5 November from Guy Fawkes to Parihaka Day (or another suitable name) we can transform the day from the vilification of Guy Fawkes to reflecting on the consequences of war.

The Land Wars transformed this country and should be taught in every school, and remembered every year.

When we forget our past we slice away a part of heritage.

That would be a tragedy.