Northern Māori Wars Retold

“ ‘I hereby secure to you in the name of the Queen of England, big guns, rockets, shells and muskets…
But your lands, your forests and fisheries I mean to take as soon as I can.’"
— Hone Heke, in response to Governor FitzRoy, 1845

Inspired by the powerful words of Hone Heke and the rich oral histories of my tūpuna, this kaupapa is an educational project that will bring our history to life through an historical novel, a dedicated website, and an interactive timeline spanning from Kororāreka to Ruapekapeka.

By retelling these events through a Mana Whenua lens, this work seeks to challenge and correct long-standing historical inaccuracies. More importantly, it is created as a source of inspiration for our rangatahi—grounding them in the strength, resilience, and leadership of those who came before us.

This project is about reclaiming our narratives, instilling pride in our heritage, and ensuring our future generations can see themselves reflected in the stories of our past.