The Wairau incident (also known as the Wairau affray or the Wairau massacre) of 1843 is generally identified as the first serious clash of the New Zealand wars. After New Zealand Company surveyors were prevented from surveying the area by Ngāti Toa, an armed party of settlers from Nelson &emdash; a New Zealand Company settlement &emdash; arrived in a rash attempt to arrest Te Rauparaha and Te Rangihaeata, two senior rangatira. 22 Pākehā and at least four Māori died after a clash.

A large information board on the roadside identifies where the clash occurred and the path of retreating settlers. A memorial marking the Pākehā dead is on the other side of SH1.

Learn more

• NZHistory.govt.nz
• National Library