The Musket Wars
Old grievances – New tools
• Prior to European contact the primary
weapons of the Maori Toa (warrior) were the
Patu and the Taiaha
Patu
• There were three major types of Patu
• Kotaite
• Onewa
• Mere
Taiaha
• A mix of Spear and Staff,
the Taiaha was far more
effective in the hands of an
expert than a musket.
• Stabbing with the Arero
(tongue)
• Striking with the Ate
(flattened Blade)
Other long weapons
•A) Pouwhenua –
More spearlike –
with a sharper
point
•B) Tewhatewha –
Axe headed staff
•E) Toki kakouroa
Muskets
• Used in Old World combat since the mid 15th Century,
Muskets were the primary weapon for the infantry.
• With the invention of the bayonet and flintlock, Musketmen
could defend themselves even against Cavalry.
Early access to firearms
• Sealers, Whalers, Traders
• Access to Muskets was in such high demand
that Maori chiefs would guarantee protection
to Pakeha settlements to ensure access to
Pakeha traders.
• Maori journeys to Australia and Europe –
Hongi Hika returns from meeting the British
Monarch and sells most of his presents in
Australia for Muskets.
Spuds?
Slavery, Potatoes and Taua
• “An army marches on its stomach” – This was
true of Taua (war parties) too.
• The potato and American sweet potato gave
greater nutritional value than Kumara, and
were far easier to grow.
• Slaves were taken to till fields, potatoes were
taken by Taua on raids, and traded for more
Muskets, which allowed more for larger Taua,
which brought back more slaves, but needed
more food.
• NZ had a population of approx 100,000 in
1820
• Between 1818 and the early 1830s an
estimated 20,000 Maori were killed
• On a per capita basis this is far more than the
18,000 New Zealanders killed during the First
World War, more like 200,000.
• 30,000 Maori either became enslaved or were
forced to migrate to safer territory.
Discussion
• Why do very few New Zealanders know about
these wars?
• Why aren’t they a part of our National
Identity?
Task
• Read Milestones pg 40-45
• Answer the short answer questions on your
sheets