Battle of Moremonui: Difference between revisions
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{{Use New Zealand English|date=February 2024}} |
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{{Infobox military conflict |
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'''Moremonui''' is a location in the [[Northland Region]] of [[New Zealand]], 12 miles south of Maunganui Bluff. It is known principally as the site of a [[Māori people|Māori]] battle fought in either 1807 or 1808 between the [[Kaipara District|Kaipara]] branches of the [[Ngāti Whātua]], Te-Uri-o-Hau and Te Roroa [[iwi]] on one side and the [[Ngāpuhi]] iwi on the other. The battle is known as Moremonui, Moremunui or Te Kai a te Karoro (The Seagulls' Feast). |
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| conflict = Battle of Moremonui |
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| partof = the [[Musket Wars]] |
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| date = 1807 or 1808 |
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| place = [[Northland Region|Northland]], [[New Zealand]], north of Dargaville. |
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| coordinates = |
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| map_relief = |
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| map_caption = |
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| result = Ngāti Whātua Victory |
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| combatant1 = '''Ngāpuhi''' |
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| combatant2 = Ngāti Whātua<br/> Te Roroa |
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| commander1 = [[Pokaia]]{{KIA}} |
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| commander2 = [[Murupaenga]]<br/> [[Tāoho]]<br/>Tuwhare |
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| strength1 = '''Total''': 500 toa (warriors)<ref>{{cite book | last=Crosby | first=Ron D. | title=The Musket wars : a history of inter-iwi conflict : 1806-1845 | publisher=Reed | year=1999 | isbn=0-7900-0677-4 | oclc=469071486}}</ref> |
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* several armed with muskets |
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| strength2 = '''Total''': Unknown |
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| casualties1 = '''Total''': 150-300 |
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| casualties2 = '''Total''': Unknown but probably minor |
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}} |
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{{short description|Battle fought in 19th century New Zealand}} |
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Moremonui is notable as the first occasion Māori used [[musket]]s in warfare. The first European settlement had recently been founded at [[Kororareka]] in Ngāpuhi territory, enabling that iwi to become the first to use Western weapons. |
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The '''battle of Moremonui''' ({{langx|mi|Te Haenga o te One|lit=The Marking of the Sand}}, or {{lang|mi|Te Kai-a-te-Karoro}}, {{lit|The Seagulls' Feast}}<ref>{{cite web|last=Kerehona|first=Brent|title=Three busts and a cape – the adventurous life of Hongi Hika|publisher=Oceanic Art Society|date=3 August 2020|url=https://www.oceanicartsociety.org.au/three-busts-and-a-cape-the-adventurous-life-of-hongi-hika/}}</ref>) was fought between [[Ngāti Whātua]] and [[Ngāpuhi]], two [[Māori people|Māori]] ''[[iwi]]'' (tribes), in northern [[New Zealand]] in either 1807 or 1808. The Ngāpuhi force had a few [[musket]]s, making this the first occasion Māori used muskets in warfare. The Ngāti Whātua force ambushed the Ngāpuhi, and won the battle, which occurred at Moremonui Gully where it enters [[Ripiro Beach]], {{convert|12|mi|km|order=flip|0|abbr=off}} south of [[Maunganui Bluff]] on the west coast of [[Northland Region|Northland]]. It could reasonably be called the first battle of the [[Musket Wars]] among Māori, which took place over the next few decades. |
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==Background== |
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The outcome of the battle did not follow technological advantage. While reloading, Ngāpuhi were overrun by the defenders' counterattack, their [[rangatira]] (chief) [[Pokaia]] being killed. It has been claimed that up to a thousand warriors died, the majority Ngāpuhi hunted down after their ranks broke. Future Ngāpuhi war leaders [[Kawiti]] and [[Hongi Hika]] escaped due to Ngāti Whātua rangatira Taoho's restraint in stopping further pursuit. Taoho literally drew a line in the sand, beyond which Ngāpuhi were not to be killed. |
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The battle of Moremonui was preceded by skirmishes in 1806 between Ngāpuhi in the north, led by one of their [[rangatira]] (chiefs), [[Pokaia]], on one side, and [[Kaipara Harbour|Kaipara]] subtribes of Ngāti Whātua in the south on the other.<ref name=Cloher/> The southern groups were led by [[Tāoho]], rangatira of [[Te Roroa]], and [[Murupaenga]],<ref name=Cloher/> rangatira of the [[Ngāti Rāngo|Ngāti Rongo]] subtribe of Ngāti Whātua. |
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| ⚫ | Although only a small number of firearms were used, Moremonui could reasonably be called the first battle of the |
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In 1807, Pokaia proposed that Ngāpuhi mount a major war expedition against Te Roroa. About 500 Ngāpuhi warriors, most from the [[Kaikohe]] area and a few from the [[Hokianga]], assembled under Pokaia. In response to Ngāpuhi preparations, Ngāti Whātua forces assembled under Tāoho, Murupaenga, [[Te Wana-a-riri]] of Ngāti Whātua, and [[Te Hekeua]] of [[Te Uri-o-Hau]],<ref name=Cloher/> intending to meet the Ngāpuhi before they reached the northern Kaipara. Both sides were armed with the usual striking weapons, but the first European settlement had recently formed at [[Kororāreka]] in Ngāpuhi territory, and a few of the Ngāpuhi warriors had acquired muskets.<ref name=Cloher>{{cite book |last=Cloher |first=Dorothy Urlich |date=2003 |title=Hongi Hika: Warrior Chief |location=Auckland |publisher=Penguin |pages=52–57 |isbn=0670045446}}</ref><ref name=Smith31>{{cite book |last=Smith |first=S. Percy |author-link=Percy Smith (ethnologist) |title= Maori Wars of the Nineteenth Century |chapter=Moremo-nui, 1807 |chapter-url= http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-SmiMaor-t1-body-d3.html |pages=31–49 |date=1910 |publisher=Whitcombe and Tombs Limited (republished in New Zealand Electronic Text Collection) |accessdate=23 April 2017}}</ref> |
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== |
==The battle== |
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The Ngāpuhi force came down the west coast and camped north of [[Maunganui Bluff]]. Alerted that they intended to proceed down Ripiro Beach at night to camp at Moremonui, the Ngāti Whātua got there first and hid in the Moremonui valley. The unsuspecting Ngāpuhi arrived at Moremonui at dawn and prepared a meal. While they were eating, Ngāti Whātua launched a surprise attack. The Ngāpuhi scrambled for their weapons and were driven to the beach, where the battle continued for some time. The Ngāpuhi muskets were useful, but loading and reloading them took time, and their numbers were not sufficient. Eventually Tāoho killed the Ngāpuhi leader Pokaia with his [[Mere (weapon)|mere]] and the Ngāpuhi fled. Tāoho had connections with Ngāpuhi and, not wishing to completely annihilate them, ordered that a line be drawn in the sand of the beach, beyond which Ngāti Whātua warriors were not to pursue them.<ref name=Cloher/><ref name=Smith31/> |
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==Aftermath== |
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Ngāpuhi acknowledged the death of 150 of their party of 500,<ref name=Smith31/> but other reports of their loss ranged up to 300.<ref name=Cloher/> Among the dead were [[Hongi Hika]]'s older brother Houwawe, his half-brother Hau Moka, and his sister Waitapu, whose body was mutilated to symbolise stopping the line of descent.<ref name=Cloher/> Hongi Hika himself escaped,<ref>[http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/musket-wars/beginnings "Musket Wars: Beginnings"], NZHistory.net.nz</ref> as did [[Kawiti]], another Ngāpuhi leader, due to Tāoho's restraint in stopping further pursuit. So numerous were the bodies left on the beach and eaten by gulls, the battle was called Te Kai a te Karoro (the Feast of the [[kelp gull|Black-backed Gull]]).<ref name=Smith31/> |
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This battle is also known as Te Haerenga-o-te-one (the Marking of the sand), named after Te Uri O Hau chief, Tieke's act of drawing a line in the sand. |
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| ⚫ | Although only a small number of firearms were used, Moremonui could reasonably be called the first battle of the Musket Wars, as a thirst for utu (justice through revenge)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.justice.govt.nz/publications/global-publications/h/he-hinatore-ki-te-ao-maori-a-glimpse-into-the-maori-world/part-1-traditional-maori-concepts/utu/ |title="Traditional Maori Concepts, Utu" Ministry of Justice website |access-date=2012-01-23 |archive-date=2010-05-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100522222613/http://www.justice.govt.nz/publications/global-publications/h/he-hinatore-ki-te-ao-maori-a-glimpse-into-the-maori-world/part-1-traditional-maori-concepts/utu/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> motivated Hongi Hika's campaigns against the Ngāti Whātua over the next twenty years. |
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==References== |
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{{reflist|2}} |
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*[http://www.teara.govt.nz/NewZealanders/MaoriNewZealanders/NgatiWhatua/3/ENZ-Resources/Standard/1/en Monument] |
*[http://www.teara.govt.nz/NewZealanders/MaoriNewZealanders/NgatiWhatua/3/ENZ-Resources/Standard/1/en Monument] |
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{{coord|35|53|49|S|173|41|37|E|region:NZ|display=title}} |
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{{coord missing|New Zealand}} |
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[[Category:Kaipara District]] |
[[Category:Kaipara District]] |
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[[Category:Battles involving New Zealand]] |
[[Category:Battles involving New Zealand|Moremonui]] |
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[[Category:Musket Wars]] |
[[Category:Musket Wars]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:1800s in New Zealand]] |
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[[Category:Māori intertribal wars]] |
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Latest revision as of 21:23, 9 November 2024
| Battle of Moremonui | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Musket Wars | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Ngāpuhi |
Ngāti Whātua Te Roroa | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Pokaia † |
Murupaenga Tāoho Tuwhare | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
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Total: 500 toa (warriors)[1]
| Total: Unknown | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Total: 150-300 | Total: Unknown but probably minor | ||||||
The battle of Moremonui (Māori: Te Haenga o te One, lit. 'The Marking of the Sand', or Te Kai-a-te-Karoro, lit. 'The Seagulls' Feast'[2]) was fought between Ngāti Whātua and Ngāpuhi, two Māori iwi (tribes), in northern New Zealand in either 1807 or 1808. The Ngāpuhi force had a few muskets, making this the first occasion Māori used muskets in warfare. The Ngāti Whātua force ambushed the Ngāpuhi, and won the battle, which occurred at Moremonui Gully where it enters Ripiro Beach, 19 kilometres (12 miles) south of Maunganui Bluff on the west coast of Northland. It could reasonably be called the first battle of the Musket Wars among Māori, which took place over the next few decades.
Background
[edit]The battle of Moremonui was preceded by skirmishes in 1806 between Ngāpuhi in the north, led by one of their rangatira (chiefs), Pokaia, on one side, and Kaipara subtribes of Ngāti Whātua in the south on the other.[3] The southern groups were led by Tāoho, rangatira of Te Roroa, and Murupaenga,[3] rangatira of the Ngāti Rongo subtribe of Ngāti Whātua.
In 1807, Pokaia proposed that Ngāpuhi mount a major war expedition against Te Roroa. About 500 Ngāpuhi warriors, most from the Kaikohe area and a few from the Hokianga, assembled under Pokaia. In response to Ngāpuhi preparations, Ngāti Whātua forces assembled under Tāoho, Murupaenga, Te Wana-a-riri of Ngāti Whātua, and Te Hekeua of Te Uri-o-Hau,[3] intending to meet the Ngāpuhi before they reached the northern Kaipara. Both sides were armed with the usual striking weapons, but the first European settlement had recently formed at Kororāreka in Ngāpuhi territory, and a few of the Ngāpuhi warriors had acquired muskets.[3][4]
The battle
[edit]The Ngāpuhi force came down the west coast and camped north of Maunganui Bluff. Alerted that they intended to proceed down Ripiro Beach at night to camp at Moremonui, the Ngāti Whātua got there first and hid in the Moremonui valley. The unsuspecting Ngāpuhi arrived at Moremonui at dawn and prepared a meal. While they were eating, Ngāti Whātua launched a surprise attack. The Ngāpuhi scrambled for their weapons and were driven to the beach, where the battle continued for some time. The Ngāpuhi muskets were useful, but loading and reloading them took time, and their numbers were not sufficient. Eventually Tāoho killed the Ngāpuhi leader Pokaia with his mere and the Ngāpuhi fled. Tāoho had connections with Ngāpuhi and, not wishing to completely annihilate them, ordered that a line be drawn in the sand of the beach, beyond which Ngāti Whātua warriors were not to pursue them.[3][4]
Aftermath
[edit]Ngāpuhi acknowledged the death of 150 of their party of 500,[4] but other reports of their loss ranged up to 300.[3] Among the dead were Hongi Hika's older brother Houwawe, his half-brother Hau Moka, and his sister Waitapu, whose body was mutilated to symbolise stopping the line of descent.[3] Hongi Hika himself escaped,[5] as did Kawiti, another Ngāpuhi leader, due to Tāoho's restraint in stopping further pursuit. So numerous were the bodies left on the beach and eaten by gulls, the battle was called Te Kai a te Karoro (the Feast of the Black-backed Gull).[4] This battle is also known as Te Haerenga-o-te-one (the Marking of the sand), named after Te Uri O Hau chief, Tieke's act of drawing a line in the sand.
Although only a small number of firearms were used, Moremonui could reasonably be called the first battle of the Musket Wars, as a thirst for utu (justice through revenge)[6] motivated Hongi Hika's campaigns against the Ngāti Whātua over the next twenty years.
References
[edit]- ^ Crosby, Ron D. (1999). The Musket wars : a history of inter-iwi conflict : 1806-1845. Reed. ISBN 0-7900-0677-4. OCLC 469071486.
- ^ Kerehona, Brent (3 August 2020). "Three busts and a cape – the adventurous life of Hongi Hika". Oceanic Art Society.
- ^ a b c d e f g Cloher, Dorothy Urlich (2003). Hongi Hika: Warrior Chief. Auckland: Penguin. pp. 52–57. ISBN 0670045446.
- ^ a b c d Smith, S. Percy (1910). "Moremo-nui, 1807". Maori Wars of the Nineteenth Century. Whitcombe and Tombs Limited (republished in New Zealand Electronic Text Collection). pp. 31–49. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
- ^ "Musket Wars: Beginnings", NZHistory.net.nz
- ^ ""Traditional Maori Concepts, Utu" Ministry of Justice website". Archived from the original on 2010-05-22. Retrieved 2012-01-23.