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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

The Capture of Ruapekapeka

The Capture of Ruapekapeka.

In June, 1845, it was announced in the Imperial Parliament that a despatch had been forwarded to Governor Fitzroy recalling him. It was further announced that Captain Grey, then Governor of South Australia, would succeed him. On the 18th of November, of the same year, Captain Grey officially landed and assumed office. He immediately adopted vigorous measures to bring the war to an end. In order to restore England's prestige he resolved at all costs to institute a victorious campaign. He stopped the sale of arms to the natives and cut off all communication with Heke and Kawiti, and issued regular rations to the Maori allies under Waka Nene. An available force of 1173 men, with the addition of the friendly allies, now commenced operations against Heke, at Ruapekapeka. Two stockades were built close to the pa, in which were mounted one 18-pounder and one 12-pounder Howitzer. On Saturday, the 10th of January, 1846, the action commenced, and an incessant artillery fire was kept up for the whole day. In the evening it was observed that the guns had made three breaches in the outer palisades. The commanding officer then contemplated an assault, but owing to the remonstrances of the friendly chief, Mohi Tawhai, this idea was abandoned. On the following morning (Sunday) some of Nene's men, cautiously approached the breaches, and not hearing any noise they entered and found the pa unoccupied. Immediately they signalled the troops, who rushed forward and entered the pa before the Maoris, who were engaged in worship outside at the back of the pa, could return. Thus Heke and Kawiti lost possession of their stronghold. Their forces commenced a heavy fire on our men from the surrounding woods, but soon retired to another pa, page 150 which had been erected about three miles away by Heke, in case they should be driven from Ruapekapeka. The British loss was twelve killed and thirty wounded, and Heke's loss was about twenty-five killed.

The loss of Ruapekapeka disheartened the followers of Heke, and Kawiti, and the latter wrote to the Governor the following letter:—“Friend! O, my esteemed friend, the Governor, I salute you. Great is my regard for you. Friend Governor, I say let peace be made between you and I. I am filled of your riches (cannon balls); thereupon I say, let you and I make peace. Will you not? Yes. This is the termination of my war against you. Friend Governor, I, Kawiti and Hekitenedo, consent to this good message. This is the end of mine to you. It is finished. To my esteemed friend, the Governor.—Kawiti.”

This petition was strongly backed by Tamati Waka Nene, and Sir George Grey thereupon granted a free pardon to all who had been engaged in the rebellion, and allowed them to retain possession of their lands. Thus peace was declared, and Heke's war terminated; no feeling of bitterness remained, and the friendly relations between the Maoris and the settlers north of Auckland have never since been broken.

Of the chief actors in this rebellion, Kawiti afterwards professed Christianity, and died in 1853, at the age of nearly four score years. Heke, who never recovered from the effects of the wound he received at Okaihau, died in 1850, near his old field of battle, and he was buried in a cave near the old mission station at Waimate.