Ruapekapeka (original) (raw)

Ruapekapeka, a pā 20 kilometres (12 mi) southeast of Kawakawa in the Northland Region of New Zealand, is one of the largest and most complex pā in New Zealand; Ngāpuhi designed it specifically to counter the cannon of British forces.The earthworks can still be seen. Ruapekapeka was the site of the last battle in the Flagstaff War of 1845-1846, fought between Colonial forces and the Ngāpuhi led by Hone Heke and Te Ruki Kawiti. This was the first major armed conflict between the Colonial government and the Māori.