Flagstaff War

Flagstaff War
Part of the New Zealand Wars

Hōne Heke removing the British ensign from Flagstaff Hill.
Date11 March 1845 – 11 January 1846
(10 months)
Location
Northland, New Zealand
Result Inconclusive
Belligerents
 United Kingdom: Colony of New Zealand Māori
Commanders and leaders
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland David Robertson-Macdonald (WIA)
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland George Phillpotts †
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland James Everard Home
Tāmati Wāka Nene
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland William Hulme
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Henry Despard		 Hōne Heke (WIA)
Te Ruki Kawiti
Pūmuka †
Units involved

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Royal Navy

East India Company East India Co.

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland British Army

Ordnance

Militia

  • Civic Guard
  • Volunteer Pioneers

Maori Allies

Taua

  • Hōne Heke
  • Te Ruki Kawiti
  • Pūmuka
  • Pene Taui
  • Te Haratua
  • Hikitene
  • Hara
  • Hautungia
  • Hira Pure
  • Te Atua Wera
  • Marupo
  • Ruku
  • Pona
  • Hori Kingi Tahua
  • Kauata
  • Tohu[1]: 358 
Strength

~313 sailors & marines
~720 soldiers (58 & 99)
1 engineer
~42 pioneers
~70 armed civilians

~450 Maori allies[3][4]		 ~600 warriors
Casualties and losses
82 killed
164 wounded		 60–94 killed
80–148 wounded
Casualties of the Māori allied with the British are unknown.

The Flagstaff War, also known as Heke's War, Hōne Heke's Rebellion and the Northern War, was fought between 11 March 1845 and 11 January 1846 in and around the Bay of Islands, New Zealand.[5] The conflict is best remembered for the actions of Hōne Heke who challenged the authority of the British by cutting down the flagstaff on Flagstaff Hill (Maiki Hill) at Kororāreka (now Russell). The flagstaff had been a gift from Hōne Heke to James Busby, the first British Resident. The Northern War involved many major actions, including the Battle of Kororāreka on 11 March 1845, the Battle of Puketutu on 8 May 1845, the Battle of Ōhaeawai on 23 June 1845 and the siege of Ruapekapeka Pā from 27 December 1845 to 11 January 1846.[6]

  1. ^ a b Phillipson, Grant (August 2005), Wai 1040 #A1: Bay of Islands Maori and the Crown, 1793–1853 (PDF)
  2. ^ Collinson, Thomas Bernard (1853). "2. Remarks on the Military Operations in New Zealand" (PDF). Papers on Subjects Connected with the Duties of the Corp of Royal Engineers. New Series 3. London: John Weale: 5–69.
  3. ^ Cowan, James (1922). "Chapter 8: The Storming-Party at Ohaeawai". The New Zealand Wars: A History of the Maori Campaigns and the Pioneering Period. Vol. 1, 1845–1864. Wellington: R.E. Owen. pp. 60–72.
  4. ^ Cowan, James (1922). "Chapter 9: The Capture of Rua-Pekapeka". The New Zealand Wars: A History of the Maori Campaigns and the Pioneering Period. Vol. 1, 1845–1864. Wellington: R.E. Owen. pp. 73–87.
  5. ^ Cowan, James (1955). "Scenes of Engagements, Bay of Islands District, 1845–46". The New Zealand Wars: A History of the Maori Campaigns and the Pioneering Period. Vol. 1, 1845–64. Wellington: R. E. Owen – via NZETC.
  6. ^ Cowan, James (1922). The New Zealand Wars: A History of the Maori Campaigns and the Pioneering Period. Vol. 1, 1845–1864. Wellington: R.E. Owen. pp. 73–144.