Fighting begins at Te Kohia

From 'Fighting begins', URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/taranaki-wars/fighting-march-june-1860, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 1-Nov-2019

The opening shots of the Taranaki War were fired at Kīngi's new pā, Te Kohia – also known as the ‘L’ pa because of its shape – on 17 March 1860.

After a day of fruitless artillery fire Māori evacuated the pā during the night with no loss of life. Te Kohia set the pattern for 12 months of fighting. Te Ātiawa aimed to confront the British in a way that prevented them from bringing their superior manpower and resources to bear. Raids against settler properties in outlying areas increased, forcing many into New Plymouth for safety. Fears that the conflict might spread beyond Te Ātiawa were realised when a force of 500 Taranaki, Ngāti Ruanui and Ngā Rauru Māori assembled above Ōmata, just south of New Plymouth. They built Kaipopo pā, which overlooked the main road south and the settlers' stockade at Ōmata.

News reached New Plymouth on 28 March that five settlers, including two boys, had been killed at Ōmata, increasing fears that the town was being encircled by hostile Māori. A force was dispatched immediately to rescue settlers said to be trapped behind enemy lines near the Waireka Stream.