Government forces seized this pā of Ngāti Toa rangatira Te Rangihaeata on 1 August 1846 after capturing his uncle Te Rauparaha. However, Te Rangihaeata had already abandoned the position and fled north to Horokiwi/Battle Hill, where British soldiers would pursue him and attack once again the following week. Colonial forces instead captured two Māori men, one of whom, Te Whareaitu, was executed at Paremata Barracks in September 1846.

The area is now occupied by St Albans church, and no trace remains of Mātaitaua Pā.

Learn more

• NZHistory.govt.nz
• National Library records
• Elsdon Best The Pah Maori (Whitcombe & Tombs, 1927) (NZETC)