Battle of Waireka

The Battle of Waireka was the first significant encounter of the Taranaki War. It was a confused affair during which William Odgers became the first man to earn a Victoria Cross in the New Zealand Wars. The rescue plan involved a force of around 120 troops and 100 local volunteers and militia. Lieutenant-Colonel Murray's troops met no resistance as they advanced along the main road. However, the fighters in Kaipopo pā spotted the settlers as they marched along the beach. They moved out of the pā and took position near the Waireka Stream below.

After an exchange of fire lasting several hours, ammunition on both sides was running low by late afternoon. Murray had orders to have his men back in New Plymouth by nightfall as they formed a significant part of the town's defences. He had sent some of his men to help the settler force but sounded the recall around 5.30pm.

During the march back Murray and his men were passed by Captain Peter Cracroft of HMS Niger with 60 men. The withdrawal of Murray and his men was roundly condemned. How could professional soldiers abandon amateurs in their hour of need? By the time the men of the Niger arrived below Kaipopo it was nearly dusk. Cracroft promised ‘Ten pounds to the man who gets that flag!’ Kaipopo pā was stormed and ‘captured under heavy fire’.

Newspapers claimed that Cracroft's men killed anywhere between 70 and 150 Māori. Odgers was now £10 richer and had gained his place in New Zealand military history. No attempt was made to contact either the marooned settlers or the militia under attack near the Waireka Stream before Cracroft and his men returned in triumph to New Plymouth. The Māori near the stream withdrew upon hearing the action at the pā above them, clearing the way for the settlers and the militia to reach the town.