Description

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
confl icts, continuing his remarkable work on the New Zealand Wars.
The book begins with the 1863 crossing of the Mangatāwhiri River by British
troops. This act marked the Crown’s declaration of war against the Waikato
tribes, igniting a confl ict with far-reaching consequences. At its heart, the war
was a clash between the Crown’s push for control and Māori insistence on selfgovernance, a right a rmed in Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The resulting confl ict has
shaped the nation for over a century, more infl uential, O’Malley argues, than
even New Zealand’s involvement in the two World Wars.
The Invasion of Waikato/Te Riri ki Tainui features short biographies of people
and groups who have contributed to our contemporary understanding of
the events. Building on Dr O’Malley’s comprehensive 2016 study, The Great
War for New Zealand: Waikato 1800–2000, this concise account includes rich
illustrations and detailed maps. Insights from recent research emphasise the
roles of memory and place in shaping our understanding of this history.
Through clear and engaging writing, Vincent O’Malley helps readers explore a
crucial period in Aotearoa’s past, opening up this history to a wide readership.