Kaipopo pā was rapidly erected by Taranaki and Ngāti Ruanui in 1860 and saw intense fighting during the battle of Waireka on 28 March 1860. After British regular forces abandoned settlers taking defence in a nearby farmhouse to their fate, sailors from the HMS Niger stormed the pā and relieved the settlers. British casualties were slight and Māori casualties unknown.

Significant remains are visible by satellite of Waireka Camp, which was subsequently erected by Crown forces on 27 July 1860. There appears to be no surface remains of Kaipopo pā, the precise location of which is harder to discern but appears to be slightly east of Waireka camp. According to Prickett, it is "seaward of Waireka Road, above the old Omata Cemetery; at hill-top location ‘Ratanui’."

Learn more

• NZHistory.govt.nz

A Heritage NZ plaque now marks the site.