THE SIEGE OF OKAIHAU

Te Ao Hou, October 1956, Page 40

THE SIEGE OF OKAIHAU After this battle the Maori forces retired to Okaihau, inland and between forty and fifty miles to the north-west. This pa may have been Heke's choice. It was centrally situated and on the boundary between Ngapuhi and the northern and western tribes.(2) Sentiment played a part in Hone Heke's choice of battleground, for at Okaihau his father Hongi Hika was buried. Another important factor was the distance and rough country that separated Okaihau from the coast and made the transport of British artillery to the battle-almost impossible. The Maori chiefs were vividly aware of the destruction cannon might cause to their pallisades and no doubt looked for a place where they were unlikely to face heavy bombardment. (Editor.) It should be remembered that so soon after Honga Hika's battles against Ngatiwhatua in the south-west, Rarawa in the north-west and Nga

tipou in the east, Ngapuhi could not expect any assistance from these quarters. On the contrary they might be found on the opposite side to settle old grievances. This is what actually happened. Here was the best opportunity to defeat Heke. However, there were one or two compensating factors limiting the war effort of the Maoris who joined the pakeha. First of all Waaka Nene, and Patuone, their leaders, were already Christians and really did not enjoy their part in the fighting. Secondly, Ngapuhi themselves, they were fighting against their own kith and kin. Furthermore, their allies were ‘tauiwi’ or foreigners whose methods of warfare were totally different. There was no tapu on the person of the pakeha. The Maori on the other hand had to wear the tapu armour or he met disaster. The breaking of tapu on the battlefield was believed to bring misfortune to the person or to the whole army. The battle of Okaihau therefore was the first test of strength between Maori and pakeha on the one hand and between Heke and Waaka Nene on the other. Of the losses Kawiti suffered three warriors are remembered, Taura, Tara and Ruku, but there were others. One fact that deserves note was the absence of hatred in either camp. There were no cannibalistic practices such as had occurred in the past in battles between Maori and Maori. Instead, the utmost courtesy was shown to the foe. The pakeha had not eaten those who were slain so that there was no call for retribution. The ‘hoariri’ enemy belonged to the same tribe as the missionaries and must be treated with respect. Experience in the art of war, the fullest knowledge of the country and permission to choose their battlefield was a distinct advantage to the Maori. The British troops, though unaccustomed to the land they had to pass through, were better equipped in guns and ammunition which made their chances even. Success or defeat in battle is measured by the Maori not by the number slain but by the number of chiefs that were captured or killed. For instance, the death or capture of Kawiti or Heke would have meant the end of the battle. Kawiti lost his eldest son, Taura, here. It is said that he failed to give ready help at Korokareka and was rebuked by his father. Here he walked right into the battle and was slain.