There is much in the description of the Battle of Te Ahuahu that can inform a wargaming refight.
New Zealand
A brief summary of the various wars involving New Zealand, with additional details on the New Zealand Wars (1845-72), and Kiwis in World War II (1939-45) .
Wargaming Boulcott’s Farm 16 May 1846
Brief thoughts on wargaming Boulcott’s Farm (16 May 1846).
Timeline of Hone Heke’s War 1845-46
The first of the New Zealnd Wars has several alternative names, including The First Maori War, The Northern War, and Hone Heke’s War. I prefer the last name as it was Hone Heke that started the war and gave it real flavour. And Hone Heke is one of my two favourite characters of the NZ wars (the other is Titokawaru – more on him later).
Timeline of the First Taranaki War 1860
In early June the Atiawa and Ngati Maniapoto allies began building a pa at Puketakauere, a mile from the British field base at Camp Waitara and in full sight of it. This posed certain problems for the British. It restricted their movement, and endangered their supply lines and the security of the camp.
Sources for the New Zealand Wars
Annotated bibliography for the New Zealand Wars.
Timeline of the Conflict in the Hutt 1846
After Hone Heke’s War the focus of the New Zealand Wars shifed to the Hutt Valley near Wellington.
Wargaming Scenarios for the New Zealand Wars
These are my rough initial thoughts on wargaming scenarios for the New Zealand Wars. They are nominally for my DBA Variant for the New Zealand Wars , although if I had a go at them myself I’d try my variant of Crossfire instead. I haven’t played any of them yet, as I haven’t resolved the challenges of wargaming the New Zealand wars. None the less you might find these useful. If you have any bright ideas, then please contact me.
Painting Guide for the New Zealand Wars
This is the painting guide I gave to Nigel Fun-nell who painted by kit for the New Zealand Wars.
British Order of Battle in the New Zealand Wars
Some Orders of Battle for the British / Europeans of the New Zealand Wars.
Strategic Aims and Objectives in Hone Heke’s War
The protagonists in the New Zealand Wars had differing strategic aims and objectives. I’ve summarised those from Hone Heke’s War of 1845-46. The three protagonist groups in this war were the Government, the resisting Maori and the collaborating Maori. Maori on both sides of the conflict were from the Ngapuhi tribe and this had an impact on their conduct of the war.
Kororareka – A DBA Scenario
Here is my Kororeka scenario for my DBA New Zealand Wars variant. I have assumed one element represents 20 men (rounded up to the next whole element), except the unarmed settlers where each represents 50 men, women and children. Some Naval Brigade and and Civic Guard are manning the gun batteries. Although there were four guns available I’ve lumped the three old cannon together as one battery.
Timeline of the New Zealand Wars
A rough timeline for the New Zealand Wars.
Fall of Kororareka 11 Mar 1845
Kororareka was a major trading and ship provisioning centre. Located in the Bay Islands it had been the original capital of New Zealand. Although it had suffered a decline in trade it was still the fifth largest town in the colony. On 11 March 1845 Maori under Hone Heke and Kawiti defeated a defending British force and sacked the town.
Personalities of the New Zealand Wars
A couple of brief biographies of key figures from the New Zealand Wars.
Battle of Te Ahuahu 12 Jun 1845
In a sharp battle the pro-government Maori under Tamati Waka Nene defeat the anti-government Maori under Hone Heke at Pukenui outside Te Ahuahu Pa (Buick, 1926). This was very much a civil war as the majority of men on both sides were Nga Puhi.