The Battle of Ohaeawai occurred on 1 July 1845 North Island of New Zealand.

This incident happened during the First Maori War where it is described at length. A combined force of British Troops and Maori Allies were attacking a Maori Pa or Fortress. After a desultory bombardment the British commander, Colonel Despard, grew impatient and ordered a frontal assault. Very quickly over a third of his force was dead or injured. The Maori Allies were not impressed.

Having made their point the enemy Maori withdrew a few days later

After the Battle two models were made of the Pa. One went to Britain and sat forgotten in a museum. The other travelled around the various Maori tribes of New Zealand where it was studied with interest. It became the basis of what is called the Modern Pa, an aggressive-defensive tactic that the British Army never successfully cracked.

More Information

• Belich, James (1988). The New Zealand wars. Penguin.