New Zealand Wars

1845–1872 armed conflicts in New Zealand

The New Zealand Wars (Māori: ngā pakanga o Aotearoa) took place from 1845 to 1872 between the New Zealand colonial government and allied Māori on one side, and Māori and Māori-allied settlers on the other. The conflicts did not divide neatly along ethnic lines, as Māori fought on both sides and individuals of European origin also fought alongside Māori forces. Though the wars were initially localised conflicts triggered by tensions over disputed land purchases (by European settlers from Māori), they escalated dramatically from 1860 as the government became convinced it was facing a united Māori resistance to further land sales and a refusal to acknowledge Crown sovereignty.

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