On 20 November 1863, the Battle of Rangiriri began. The battle was a major engagement in the Invasion of the Waikato by colonial forces. More than 1400 British troops defeated about 500 warriors of the Kingitanga (Māori King Movement), which was resisting the expansion of British settlement and colonial rule in the North Island. The battle cost both sides more than any other engagement of the land wars and also resulted in the capture of 178 Māori prisoners. British troops were led by General Cameron.

On the morning of 20 November British forces assembled a force of 860 men - backed up by artillery - just north of Rangiriri. Another 600 men were ferried upstream by the river fleet. Men from the 65th, 12th and 14th regiments were organised into three lines, with a detachment of the 40th and the remainder of the 65th in reserve. Casualties at Rangiriri were high – 35 British and a similar number of Māori were killed. Ten more members of the British force died later from their wounds . The Kingite forces had suffered a major blow. In addition to those killed and wounded, 183 prisoners – including a number of chiefs – were taken along with their weapons. The importance of the victory was recognised by General Cameron’s subsequent knighthood.

The image shown here is a list of 178 names of the prisoners taken by British forces after the Battle of Rangiriri. There is no date for the correspondence other than it is marked as 1863.

Archives Reference: ACIH 16036 MA1 Box 836 / 1863/383 archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=22412453

For more information please consult the detailed accounts available on New Zealand History Online: www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/war-in-waikato/rangiriri

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