The Battle of Ōrākau

From nzhistory.govt.nz

Rewi's last stand'

Following the battle at Hairini on 22 February 1864, Rewi Maniapoto moved a few kilometres south to the vicinity of the Pūniu River. In March Tūhoe and Ngāti Raukawa fighters arrived from the east to bolster the Ngāti Maniapoto force. Having missed the earlier action, they were determined to fight. Tūhoe and Ngāti Raukawa pleaded with Rewi to give them Ōrākau, near the Pūniu east of Kihikihi, ‘as a place to use our guns and ammunition. They are too heavy to carry all this way for nothing.’ Rewi did not want to fight, especially at this location. ‘Only by not fighting may I retain my lands … do not fight at Orakau’. He warned that ‘if you Tuhoe persist in your desire for battle, I alone will be the survivor’. Rewi’s pleas fell on deaf ears. Many of his supporters joined Tūhoe and Ngāti Raukawa in urging him to make a stand.

After playing for time by suggesting consultation with Wiremu Tāmihana at Maungatautari, Rewi relented. He would fight at Ōrākau. ‘Rewi’s last stand’ at Ōrākau between 31 March and 2 April 1864.