On 1 July 1845, Government forces led by Colonel Henry Despard attempted to storm this pā of Te Ruki Kawiti following a week's shelling. The British had massively underestimated the quality of Māori fortifications and assumed an easy victory would follow. Ōhaeawai's defenders instead inflicted a massive loss on Government forces, with 40 killed and 70 wounded compared to a mere handful of Kawiti's men.

St Michael’s Church was subsequently built by Māori on the site of the battle, and a large number of the British dead were subsequently reinterred in the churchyard under a large memorial cross.

Learn more

• NZHistory.govt.nz - battle
• NZHistory.govt.nz - memorial