Shortly after the outbreak of war in Taranaki in early 1860, British forces launched a disastrous attack on Puketakauere pā on 26 June 1860. After bombarding Puketakauere and adjacent adjacent Onukukaitara pā, the British launched an infantry assault which was met with devastating fire from Māori concealed in pits and fern. 30 colonial soldiers died and a further 34 wounded. Although the number of Māori casualties is disputed, it was clear that government forces had come off the worse from the engagement.
Puketakauere is accessible as a DOC historical reserve from Pennington Road. The adjacent Onukukaitara is on private land.
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