NZ Wars: Stories of Wairau

The fourth chapter in RNZ’s NZ Wars series examines the events that led to the first armed conflict between Ngāti Toa, the New Zealand Company and Nelson settlers just three years after the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

NZ Wars: Stories of Wairau, produced by the Aotearoa Media Collective and Great Southern Television for RNZ, documents the clash that took place on 17 June 1843 between renowned Ngāti Toa fighting chiefs Te Rauparaha and Te Rangihaeata and the notorious New Zealand Company.

Wairau Memorial at Tuamarina Cemetery (photo: Vincent O'Malley)

The documentary examines the events that led to this conflict and its consequences which continue to reverberate nearly two centuries on.

Presented by Mihingarangi Forbes and featuring Dr Vincent O’Malley and esteemed iwi historians Sir Matiu Rei, Kahu Ropata, Miria Pomare and Lloyd Carpenter, NZ Wars: Stories of Wairau explores the events that shaped our country and their ongoing influence in contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand.

Extended interviews with each of the interviewees are also available to view.

A two-art podcast series also accompanies the documentary.  

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