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The story of Tītokowaru 1868-69

Ngā Ruahine leader Riwha Tītokowaru is known as one of Aotearoa New Zealand's best military leaders. In the South Taranaki campaign (fought over the confiscation of land) between 1868-69, he never lost a battle. SCIS no. 1966268

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Map showing Tītokowaru's southern Taranaki campaigns

Map showing Tītokowaru's southern Taranaki campaigns

Detail from map created by Howard Hill to show Colonel George Whitmore's campaigns in Taranaki in 1868-9

Tītokowaru

This pou (carved post) shows Tītokowaru holding a musket. Beneath his feet are the heads of Governor George Bowen (left) and Major Gustavus von Tempsky. Von Tempsky was killed by Tītokowaru's force...

'I shall not die'

Riwha Tītokowaru wrote defiant words in the face of increased confiscation of Māori land. Read about his military expertise and his support of non-violent resistance, including at Parihaka. Find ou...

New Zealand Wars (1840s-1870s)

This page from Many Answers will guide you to reviewed websites and databases on New Zealand Wars (1840s-1870s).

Ngā Pakanga O Aotearoa: The New Zealand Wars

This article describes the wars fought between 1845 and 1872 in Aotearoa New Zealand – about who controlled the country, who owned the land, circumstances of the wars, including the areas and tribe...

Make Tītokowaru a New Zealand hero

Make Tītokowaru a New Zealand hero

Give the great Māori warrior and peacemaker the recognition he deserves, Patrick Gower writes.

Tītokowaru's war - Tītokowaru's war

In the 1980s James Belich argued that Tītokowaru’s war had become a ‘dark secret’ of New Zealand history, ‘forgotten by the Pākehā as a child forgets a nightmare’. For Belich, Tītokowaru was ‘argua...

Beginning of Tītokowaru's war

Ngā Ruahine fighters led by Riwha Tītokowaru killed three Pākehā settlers near Ketemarae, north of Hāwera, signalling the resumption of fighting in south Taranaki.

Watkins, Kennett, 1847-1933 :Death of Major Von Tempskey at Te-Ngutu-o-te-Manu, New Zealand, 7th September, 1868 / W P lith; [from a painting by Kennett Watkins] Wanganui, A D Willis [1893]

Watkins, Kennett, 1847-1933 :Death of Major Von Tempskey at Te-Ngutu-o-te-Manu, New Zealand, 7th September, 1868 / W P lith; [from a painting by Kennett Watkins] Wanganui, A D Willis [1893]

A clearing in bush at Te Ngutu o te Manu, Taranaki, showing Gustavus von Tempsky falling to his death after being shot, his sword in his hand. Another dead soldier lies on the ground to the left, w...

The Killing of Kane

The Killing of Kane

This 1971 teleplay marks the first time the controversial topic of colonial conflict was portrayed on Kiwi TV screens. Taranaki writer Warren Dibble called on many sources — including Māori oral hi...

Ko Titokowaru: te poupou rangatira Titokowaru: a carved panel of the Taranaki leader: Tuhinga 25

Ko Titokowaru: te poupou rangatira Titokowaru: a carved panel of the Taranaki leader: Tuhinga 25

In 1905, Augustus Hamilton, the director of the Colonial Museum (now the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, or Te Papa), bought for the museum a carved poupou (panel) that depicted Taranaki r...

Von Tempsky's ghost

Von Tempsky's ghost

Mike King presents the story of Gustavus Von Tempsky: swashbuckling colonial soldier of fortune, "flamboyant folk hero" and "our first pin up boy". The Prussian-born artist, self-promoter, romantic...

THE RETREAT TO TE NGAERE AND THE WAITARA - The New Zealand Wars: A History of the Maori Campaigns and the Pioneering Period: Volume II: The Hauhau Wars, (1864–72)

Titokowaru's power was finally broken. He never fought again; and no doubt the ruthless methods of Kepa's men struck terror into the hearts of his people. He was without food and ammunition, and so...

Battle of Moturoa

Battle of Moturoa

The television series The New Zealand Wars describes the unsuccessful attack on 7 November 1868 by George Whitmore’s troops, supported by Whanganui kūpapa (Māori allied with the government) led by ...

Moturoa battle plan

Moturoa battle plan

A plan of the battlefield of Moturoa (1868) drawn by James Cowan in 1921.

TITOKOWARU'S LETTER. The following is Titokowaru's letter: " Weraroa, December 5, 1868. (Daily Southern Cross, 15 December 1868)

LATEST FROM WELLING TON. ��5 REWARD FOR EVERY REBEL, MAN OR BOY! ��1,000 REWARD FOR THE CAPTURE OF TITOKOWARU! 350 ARMED CONSTABULARY TO PROCEED TO POVERTY BAY. COLONEL WHITMORE TO BE IN COMMAND. THE GOVERNOR TO VISIT HOKITIKA. (BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) (Daily Southern Cross, 07 December 1868)

Flags of Pai Mārire

Flags of Pai Mārire

Flags of Te Ua Haumēne, Tītokowaru and Peehi Tūroa.

Tutange Waionui

Tutange Waionui

Tutange Waionui was one of Riwha Tītokowaru's best fighting men

Titokowaru, Riwha

Titokowaru, Riwha

TITOKOWARU AT PARIHAKA. (Star, 28 December 1885)

DTe Ngutu-o-te-Manu. (Hawera & Normanby Star, 07 September 1908)

YON TEMPSKY'S DEATH (Hawera & Normanby Star, 26 September 1908)

Page two and three of letter from Riwha Titokowaru to his tribe ("I shall not die")

Page two and three of letter from Riwha Titokowaru to his tribe ("I shall not die")

Quantity: 1 piece. Physical Description: Letter, black ink on blue paper, 210mm x 163mm

Titokowaru

Photographic copy of pencil sketch of Titokowaru at Mangaone kainga, Sunday 22 March 1885. Titokowaru is seated on the ground, he is holding his knees in his arms. In front of him is a plate of bre...

Titokowaru's dilemma

Titokowaru's dilemma

What is history? Socratic questions and colonial answers / Elizabeth Rankin Titikowaru's dilemma, lithographs Riwha Titokowaru / James Belish Horsefly, midwife, hero: the making of the Socratic myt...

Titokowaru's "Peace Army." (Manawatu Standard, 07 January 1885)

Taurangahika Pa, Section of outer Trench and Pallisades [Sic]

Taurangahika Pa, Section of outer Trench and Pallisades [Sic]

Taurangahika Pa - section of outer trench and palisades. Also known as Taurangaika Pa.

Te Ngutu o te Manu(Beak of the bird)- 21 August - 7 September 1868

Te Ngutu o te Manu(Beak of the bird)- 21 August - 7 September 1868

This set is about the battle fought between Tītiokowaru and Colonel McDonnell at Te Ngutu-o-Te-Manu -Titikowaru's stronghold and village.

Turuturumōkai - 12 July 1868

Turuturumōkai - 12 July 1868

A selection of images and articles on the battle of Turuturumōkai redoubt, which marked the beginning of Tītokowaru's campaign against the confiscation of land by the British.

Titokowaru by Moana and The Moahunters

This te reo song about Titokowaru is performed by Moana and The Moahunters.

Tauranga-Ika: a revisionist view of Tītokowaru's last feint

An article that debates reports on what prompted Tītokowaru to walk away from his last battle.

A brief overview of the South Taranaki War 1868-69, also known as Tītokowaru’s war.

Jackie’s song

A bewildered British soldier in the Taranaki bush country tries to console a dying comrade after an ambush by Tītokowaru's men.

Crate Day at historical site worries iwi leader

The plan to celebrate Crate Day 2018 at Te Ngutu o te Manu reserve in South Taranaki shocked iwi leader Daisy Noble.

The affair at Handley’s Woolshed

This painting by John Elder Moultray shows an incident that occurred during the New Zealand Wars in 1868.

Titokowaru was a significant warrior chief

Titokowaru was a significant warrior chief from the Taranaki region who left the pacifist Te Whiti movement to take up arms against the colonial government. In te reo Māori.

Military operations against the rebel natives

Documents and correspondence in possession of the Government on Colonel Whitmore’s request for the co-operation of a portion of the Colonial Force at Taranaki, to enable him to follow Tītokowaru ne...

Titokowaru’s dilemma: an interview with Marian Maguire

New Zealand artist Marian Maguire discusses the inspirations for her lithographic series ‘Tītokowaru’s dilemma’, where she uses the silhouettes of ancient Greek red-and-black figure pottery and Māo...

A new generation learns about Tītokowaru's war

Ngaruahine iwi members gather at a dawn ceremony near Kapuni in Taranaki to remember the 150th anniversary of the battle of Te Ngutu o Te Manu.

New Zealand Wars (Part 2)

This episode includes the rise of Pai Marire, wars on the East Coast, Taranaki, and Tītokowaru’s actions in peace and war.

The adventures of Kimble Bent by James Cowan

James Cowan’s book on the adventures of Kimble Bent includes his experiences with Tītokowaru, the attack of Turuturumōkai, the killing of Kane and the death of Von Tempsky.

Cultural interactions in 1800s NZ

Students inquire into challenges and opportunities created by cultural interactions between tangata whenua and European settlers in 1800s Aotearoa New Zealand.

Tauranga Ika marae

Tauranga Ika marae is located Nukumaru, on State Highway 3.

Research papers

Research papers relating to Hans Henrick Thiele and Titokowaru's war

A collection comprising a typescript and manuscript article `Notes on the Māori disturbances in New Zealand during 1868 & 1869’ by a Danish officer Hans Thiele.

See major Crown acquisitions since 1840, including confiscations after the New Zealand Wars and peak Native Land Court era.

Harry Locker and Matthew Carey (both 85), describe events in the Patea area from the 1860s, including the first schools, Tītokowaru, von Tempsky and his death, Turuturu Mōkai Pā, details of militar...

Tītokowaru never lost his mana, but historians took it

Read this article from Australia New Zealand Reference Centre (Plus) available through EPIC. School login may be required.

Ngati Ruanui Claims Settlement Bill — third reading

“This bill contains a formal apology to Ngāti Ruanui for the breaches of the treaty acknowledged by the Crown.”

Kimble Bent: The strange part he played in the South Taranaki Wars

An interesting account of Kimble Bent, an army deserter, who at one time took up residence at Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu (beak of the bird), Titokowaru’s village.

Tïtokowaru: a carved panel of the Taranaki leader by Hokimate P. Harwood

Introduces Riwha Tïtokowaru, the prophet, military strategist, visionary, peacemaker and renowned leader of the Taranaki iwi (peoples). Also documents the history of a carved poupou (panel) depicti...

The reverse at Moturoa

This chapter from the book ‘The Last Māori War in New Zealand Under the Self-reliant Policy’ by Major-General George S. Whitmore is about the battle at Moturoa, 7 November 1868 between the colonial...

New Zealand Wars

Primary and secondary source material relating to the New Zealand Wars from Archives New Zealand.

The New Zealand Wars: Ngā Pakanga o Aotearoa

Vincent O'Malley's book introduces the causes, events and consequences of Tītokowaru’s Campaign (1868 – 1869) which was part of the New Zealand Wars. This book is available to read online from the...

Find more information on this topic on EPIC. Databases recommended: New Zealand Geographic, Australia New Zealand Reference Centre (Plus), New Zealand History Collection (BWB). School login may be ...

Woolnoth, Alfred, 1849-1897: Taurangahika Pah

Tauranga-ika pā

Artist Alfred Woolnoth captured this scene from outside Tauranga-ika pā. The empty pā can only mean that it had just been abandoned by Tītokowaru and his supporters on 3 February 1869. The pā was ...

Colonel Thomas McDonnell

Colonel Thomas McDonnell

Thomas McDonnell was prominent in Tītokowaru’s 1868-69 campaign. He attacked Tītokowaru’s stronghold in Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu three times without success and blamed his subordinates for his defeat. Mc...

Page one of letter from Riwha Titokowaru to his tribe ("I shall not die")

I shall not die

This 3-page letter was written by Tītokowaru in 1868 in part to strike fear in the minds of the local settlers. Tītokowaru proclaiming to have developed a craving for human flesh was a warning to t...

Te Keepa Te Rangihiwinui

Te Keepa Te Rangihiwinui

Te Keepa Te Rangihiwinui, was also known as Te Keepa, or Major Kemp. Kemp and his men were active in the campaign against Tītokowaru, who seemed to be winning the war against the settlers in South...

Portrait of Ngatau Omahuru also known as William Fox

Ngatau Omahuru also known as William Fox

Dressed formally in an Eton suit and fine boots, this young boy looks somewhat out of place and unhappy with his surroundings. The story goes Ngātau was abducted before the battle of Te Ngutu-o-te-...

War in the Waikato ( 1863 - 1865)

War in the Waikato ( 1863 - 1865)

A series of images, articles, videos on the Waikato War fought between 1863 and 1864.

Report of Tītokowaru meeting at Waihī

Report of Tītokowaru meeting at Waihī

Report from the Wanganui Herald, 18 June 1867 of a meeting between Tītokowaru and local settlers at Waihī in south Taranaki.

Normanby NZ Wars memorial

Normanby NZ Wars memorial

The Normanby memorial records the names of 52 colonial servicemen who died in south Taranaki during the late 1860s.

War and peace at Te Ngutu o te Manu

To celebrate Taranaki heritage month, Airana Ngarewa remembers local leader Riwha Tītokowaru.

TE NGUTU-O-TE-MANU AFTER THE BATTLE - The New Zealand Wars: A History of the Maori Campaigns and the Pioneering Period: Volume II: The Hauhau Wars, (1864–72)

It is the day after the fight. The square in the centre of the forest stockade is an amazing scene of ferocious excitement. The men with blackened faces, and all but nude, are dancing hakas page 21...

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