Today on Mapuna we revisit the Battle of Orakau in the Waikato in 1864. More than 1400 British troops laid siege to the fortified pa at Orakau defended by a few hundred Maori. At one point the defenders were offered the chance to surrender and their response resonates to this day; "ka whawhai tonu matou, ake, ake ake" - we shall fight on forever, forever and forever. But what is perhaps less known is the role of tribes such as Tuhoe. Their decision to join the fight is examined in a new book by Tuhoe leader and academic Ta Pou Temara.
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