On 12 June 1845, during the Northern War, the Battle of Te Ahuahu took place. Despite being one of the most desperate and significant battles of the entire war, it was not as well documented as other fights. It was also fought entirely between Māori – Hōne Heke and his hapū against Tāmati Wāka Nene and his warriors.

After the successful defence of Puketutu Pā on the shores of Lake Omapere, Hōne Heke returned to his pā at Te Ahuahu, known as Puke-nui. Te Ahuahu was a short distance from both Heke's Pā at Puketutu and the site of the later Battle of Ohaeawai (www.flickr.com/photos/archivesnz/17502404795). Some days later Heke went on to Kaikohe to gather food supplies. During his absence one of Tāmati Wāka Nene's allies, the Hokianga chief, Makoare Te Taonui attacked and captured Te Ahuahu. Heke then sought to recapture the Pā. The ensuing battle was considerably large, Heke mustered somewhere between 400 and 500 warriors while Tāmati Wāka Nene had about 300 men.

According to T. Lindsay Buick, Heke attacked Te Ahuahu Pā at dawn. Tāmati Wāka Nene led his men out to face Heke’s, leaving Taonui to hold the Pā. When Taonui saw Te Kahakaha’s men approaching the rear of the Pā, he led his men out to face them. The battle blazed on both sides of the Pā. Nene had his men reserve their fire, although they were under heavy attack by Heke’s. When their initial volley came, Heke’s line was driven back to a low hill. Heke counter-attacked and Nene’s men were forced to retire behind a low stone wall which once surrounded a kumara field. From the shelter of the wall they kept up a steady fire in relative safety. Heke’s men were suffering in the fire fight, so he decided on a grand charge to sweep the outnumbered opposition from the field. Heke’s men charged down the hill and across the flat towards the stone wall. Once again Nene reserved his fire “until the breath of the charging enemy was hot upon them.” The smashing volley staggered the advancing wave and stopped it within metres of the stone wall. Nene’s men immediately charged across the wall with tomahawks and clubs and routed Heke’s. Despite their success Nene followed slowly to avoid ambush in the brushwood, rocks and high fern.

On the other side of the Pā, the battle between Taonui and Te Kahakaha was swinging backwards and forwards. From the fading sound of the gun fire Te Kahakaha knew Heke was retreating. He attempted to pull his men back to contact Heke’s. Suddenly changing his tactics Te Kahakaha ordered a charge in which he was gunned down. Upon hearing of this Heke went to find Te Kahakaha, and in the process of having his body carried from the field was seriously wounded in the thigh. Heke retreated to Ohaeawai Pā and took six weeks to recover from his wound.

James Belich believes the European estimates of 12 casualties for Nene and 30 for Heke were probably underestimates. Part of the evidence for this is that the three principle leaders on Heke’s side were all killed or wounded.

This photograph is of a painting of Tāmati Wāka Nene, as depicted by the artist Gottfried Lindauer. It comes from a collection of his work in the Patent and Copyright records. More on Lindauer’s work can be found at www.lindaueronline.co.nz/

Archives Reference: PC4 Box 14/ 1898/28

Material supplied by Archives New Zealand