Tensions over land at Wairau, and injustices and insults against Ngāti Toa leaders reach their boiling point. Arthur Wakefield, the leader of the Nelson settlement decides to seize the land by force. But the former British Navy Captain has severely underestimated his adversaries... and there will be tragic results.

This is the second in a two-part, in-depth podcast companion to the visual documentary, NZ Wars: Stories of Wairau.

Tensions over land at Wairau, and injustices and insults against Ngāti Toa leaders reach their boiling point. Arthur Wakefield, the leader of the Nelson settlement decides to seize the land by force. But the former British Navy Captain has severely underestimated his adversaries... and there will be tragic results.

In the first part of this podcast we heard the history leading up to the conflict at Wairau - a dodgy deed, duelling understandings of land rights and justice.

It will all reach a head on June 17th 1843, a date which many say marks the beginning of the New Zealand Wars.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details