The Invasion of Waikato - Te Riri ki Tainui

The Waikato War is a pivotal event in the history of Aotearoa. In this accessible introduction, Vincent O'Malley explains the enduring impact of these conflicts, continuing his remarkable work on the New Zealand Wars.

The book begins with the 1863 crossing of the Mangatawhiri River by British troops. This act marked the Crown's declaration of war against the Waikato tribes, igniting a conflict with far-reaching consequences. At its heart, the war was a clash between the Crown?s push for control and Ma?ori insistence on self- governance, a right affirmed in Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The resulting conflict has shaped the nation for over a century, more influential, O'Malley argues, than even New Zealand's involvement in the two World Wars.