A small group of 17 settlers and militia successfully repelled a 200-strong Māori war party during the 1863 Invasion of the Waikato.
Key Facts
- Date
- 13–14 September 1863
- Defenders
- 11 settlers and 6 militia men
- Attacking force
- approximately 200 men
- Attacker casualties
- approx. 20% of attacking force
- Relief regiments
- 18th, 65th, and 70th Regiments
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Invasion of the Waikato brought armed conflict to the Auckland region in 1863. Māori forces from Ngāti Maniapoto and Ngāti Pou iwi, numbering around 200 warriors, moved against settler communities in the area, targeting a half-completed stockade around the Pukekohe East church.
On 13–14 September 1863, 17 defenders — 11 settlers and 6 militia — held the unfinished stockade at Pukekohe East church against a Māori taua of approximately 200 men. Through a series of engagements around the stockade, the small garrison repelled repeated attacks until British reinforcements arrived.
The attacking taua suffered casualties of approximately 20% and ultimately retreated. Detachments of the 18th, 65th, and 70th Regiments arrived to relieve the defenders, securing the position and demonstrating the ability of small colonial garrisons to hold against significantly larger forces during the Waikato campaign.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
2 belligerents
Side B
1 belligerent