The New Zealand Wars

The New Zealand WarsThe New Zealand Wars

The New Zealand Wars uncover the conflicts between Māori and Pākehā in the last century when a small group of tribal people clashed with the world’s largest empire

Producer: Colin McRae

Director: Tainui Stephens

Cast: James Belich
Documentary & Factual
Stream only in New Zealand

Made with the support of NZ on Air

Season 1

Episode 1

The War That The British Lost

This excerpt from the first episode of history of Māori vs Pākehā armed conflict looks at growing Māori resentment, after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. The focus is on Ngā Puhi chief Hōne Heke, who sees few concessions to partnership.

Episode 2

Kings And Empires

Tensions simmer in 1850s Taranaki and Waikato, between land-hungry settlers and Māori who don't want to sell. This resolve to retain their land results in what Belich calls one of the most important developments in Māori political history.

Episode 3

Waikato

George Grey returns to the governorship in the wake of the costly Taranaki war. Now bitter, secretive and reluctant to share power, he talks peace while secretly planning to strike at the heart of the King Movement in Waikato.

Episode 4

Taranaki

The focus returns to Taranaki, where charismatic chief Tītokowaru had been promoting peace. But settler demands for land and confiscations exhaust his goodwill, and he declares war.

Episode 5

East Coast Wars

This excerpt from the final part of James Belich's award-winning history series focuses on Tūhoe prophet Rua Kēnana — the target of the last action of the New Zealand Wars in 1916, 73 years after hostilities began.

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