NZ Wars: Stories of Tauranga Moana

On the eve the battle, British troops have ringfenced Gate Pa. Māori are out-numbered 7:1. Can they survive the biggest artillery bombardment ever on New Zealand soil and face down the might of empire? It's a clash between the world's most powerful artillery and revolutionary pa design, and one that spills over into more violence at Te Ranga.

Paraone Koikoi was at the Battle of Gate Pa in 1864, when Tauranga Moana iwi bested the British army in one of the most humiliating defeats in its history. Now, 160 years later, his great-great-great grand-daughter tells the story of a blockade, bombardment and a famous battle. In episode one, 600 British troops land in Tauranga, Māori return from Waikato to defend their land, and a code of conduct for war is drafted.

On the morning of 29 April 1864, British colonial forces opened fire on Pukehinahina Gate Pā. This was the first engagement of a military campaign waged against the iwi of Tauranga Moana and their allies. On the 160th anniversary of this momentous event, RNZ launches the two-part podcast series NZ Wars: Stories of Tauranga Moana.