The Story of the Battle of Moutoa

WORDING: New Zealand's oldest war memorial and the subject of modern controversy. PICTURE / BEVAN CONLEY

Seventy-two kilometres up the Whanganui from the town bridge is Moutoa Island, which for centuries was a strategic place for defence from invasion from warring parties and also a famous battleground of river tribes in settling their differences - the Isle of Heroes.
It was here that a skirmish took place between the lower Whanganui tribes and a party of up-river Hau Hau on May 14, 1864, that came to be called, by the grateful European settlers, the Battle of Moutoa.

The origins of this battle lie in Taranaki where a new spiritual movement, Pai-marire, formed by the chief Te Ua, started sending out parties to parts of the North Island to recruit adherents to the faith. Known as Hau Hau because of their chants, they took with them dried heads of slain British soldiers to help incite Maori to their cause. The upper Whanganui tribes were first selected for this, as many warriors from the area had been slain in supporting Taranaki in their fight against land losses in the province.

Matene Rangi-tauira, an up-river Maori, was sent with a party to Pipiriki, carrying with them the head of Captain Lloyd, of the British 57th Regiment, who had been killed and decapitated at Te Ahuahu, near Oakura, on April 6. They received a willing and enthusiastic welcome. The Pipiriki Pa at that time was located high on the west bank of the river - the opposite side being used for cultivations. It was here that a government agent, Mr Booth, was living with his family, the only Pakeha residents in the area. Living with Mr Booth was a lad of eight years of age whose father was a British officer and mother a chieftainess of Te Atiawa. She had died when he was young and his father had gone back to England, leaving the boy in Booth's care for upbringing and education. Although after some parleying Booth and family were allowed to go, the lad was retained by the Hau Hau and was able, after his release some time later, to give a vivid description of his experience.

The father of the boy was Colonel H Stretton Bates, 65th Regiment, a subaltern during the first Taranaki war and one-time ADC to Sir George Grey, and his mother the granddaughter of the Chief Matangi, who was the first to sign a deed of sale in Wellington with the New Zealand Company. After his release the young Bates went back into the care of Mr Booth in Whanganui and became a well-known business man in the town.

A nui pole was erected on the Marae at Pipiriki and after days of frenzied dancing around it, and Matene's preaching, the new adherents to the faith decided on a bold attack on the town of Whanganui to drive the Pakeha settlers into the sea. A flotilla of canoes was prepared.

A message was sent to Ngati-Hau at Hiruharama to join with them but they were not interested and declined. Furthermore they immediately notified the down-river tribes that the Hau Hau invasion was imminent and they all gathered at Ranana. The Hau Hau were determined, however, and sent a message to the chiefs at Ranana that they intended to pass down the river to attack Whanganui. But right-of-way was refused by Haimona Hiroti, Mete Kingi and others, not so much out of regard for the Pakeha of Whanganui, as for the mana of their river. Ngati Hau, Ngati Pamoana and lower river tribes resolved to resist the insolent passage of an enemy war party. "If you attempt to force your way - we shall fight you on Moutoa."

Undeterred, Matene and his gatherers, men, women and children, moved down river to the little village of Tawhitinui, on the right bank, just north of Moutoa Island and prepared for battle. The date was set for May 14 and both parties were busy the day before making bullets, cartridges and drying gunpowder. In the evening war dances were performed and speeches made. The Hau Hau ceremonies and chanting continued all night. Next morning 120 picked Hau Hau warriors crossed over to the island in grand style - their canoes painted and plumed for battle. They did a war dance then moved down to the middle of the island and into the thickest of the Manuka. Spectators lined the banks on either side.

The defenders had crossed over from the Ranana at daybreak, half of them (100) led by Chief Tamehana te Aewa, crouched in thick cover near the middle of the island, and the rest under Haimona Hiroti (Ngati Pomoana) posted at the lower end of the island. The main body did not cross but were held in reserve on the left bank.

The opening volley from the defenders was too high and with the Hau Hau charging had to give way, with several casualties. The hills were echoing with gunshots and the island was soon enveloped with smoke. Tamehana rallied his men, killing five invaders before his kneecap was shattered. Tamahana Hiroti then dashed into the battle and with the unwounded men charged and hand to hand fighting with tomahawk and rifle butts ensued. The Hau Hau were driven back into the river with more than 40 dead including Matene, the prophet.

The battle was over in about half an hour with Hau Hau losing about 50 killed and the same number wounded. On the victors' side 15 died including the chiefs Kereti, Hemi Nape and Rewi Tawhite-rangi. Tamehana, who turned the tide of battle, was taken to Whanganui Hospital and had his shattered leg amputated. One other fatality was Lay Brother Euloge from the Roman Catholic Mission who was a bystander on the left bank - a stray bullet got him.

The Hau Hau did not stay long at Tawhitinui and retreated back across country to Waitotara, coming out on the river below the Weraroa Pa. Had the Whanganui warriors followed they would most likely have annihilated the Hau Hau but they rested content in having successfully defended their territory. The chief issue was whether a hostile war party should be allowed to force its way down the river and they were fighting for the honour of their tribe. Protecting the town of Whanganui was of secondary importance.