Attack on Ōpepe - Roadside Stories

A Manatū Taonga audio guide to the Ōpepe war graves memorial site. Check out the Ministry for Culture and Heritage's audio guide in the image carousel above.

A military blunder by colonial forces at Ōpepe in 1869 led to a surprise attack by Māori prophet and rebel Te Kooti and his men. Most of the soldiers were killed before they could arm themselves, but several escaped -- including one who fled completely naked.

Armed constabulary, Ōpepe,
http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/volcanic-plateau-places/12/4

Prophets and colonists -- New Zealand wars,
http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/new-zealand-wars/prophets...

Ngā poropiti -- Māori prophetic movements,
http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/nga-poropiti-maori-prophetic-...

Te Kooti Arikirangi Te Turuki,
http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1t45

New Zealand Medal awarded to George Crosswell,
http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/photo/crosswell-nzmedal

Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number sa-tx-3346-su01-pm).

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Roadside Stories are a series of audio guides to places of interest on major road trips in New Zealand. Each guide tells the story of an attraction along the way -- its people, its history, its cultural and natural significance. For more information about Roadside Stories visit http://www.mch.govt.nz/roadside/