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An interview with Mr Allie Wood, owner of the land where the Waireka Battlefield is situated, near New Plymouth. Includes an account of the battle as told to him by his grandfather, who was wounded in the battle, and his own purchase and development of the land.
Part 1 –
Introduction by an unidentified announcer, from the site of the Waireka Pā. He describes the features of the land, and the sights visible from the area. The battle took place on 28 March 1860, between Māori and British regular troops with volunteers. Three Victoria Crosses were won, as well as three New Zealand Crosses. The announcer introduces Mr Allie Wood, who now owns the land, and whose grandfather fought in the battle and was wounded.
Part 2 –
Mr Allie Wood speaks about the period leading up to the battle at Waireka. He says that all the settlers had left for New Plymouth for safety – they returned twelve months later, during which time 68 houses were burned. Mentions Parson Brown (the vicar at Ōmata), who at the time lived nearby with his wife and two daughters.
Colonel Murray was in command of the regular troops and the volunteers, and forbade them to fire at the Māori. Tells of three men leaving the redoubt, found dead near the chapel by Parson Brown.
Part 3 –
Expands on telling of the three men who had left the redoubt without permission and were found dead the next morning. Also two boys were found dead. Parson Brown and his family were the last settlers remaining in the area, 60 volunteers and 25 troops (from the H.M.S. Niger) were sent out to bring them in. On the way, they engaged a group of Māori and had to retreat. In charge of the volunteers were Sir Harry Atkinson, Major Stapp, and Captain Brown. Mr Wood talks about the deployment of the troops and volunteers, and claims the Māori force was about 600-800 strong. The volunteers has to ask for reinforcements, but Colonel Murray later withdrew leaving no retreat for the volunteers who were also running low on ammunition. Wood’s grandfather was one of the volunteers, he was wounded in the chest. The volunteers took shelter at the Jury homestead while Māori forces closed in. Then arrival of reinforcements under Captain Cracroft from H.M.S. Niger.
Part 4 -
Further about the history of the land, and the start of the troubles. Wiremu Kingi objected to the surveying of the land – Wood speaks about the initial clash in March 1860 before the battle of Waireka.
Part 5 –
Mr Wood talks further about Captain Cracroft’s arrival and Colonel Murray’s attempts to convince him to return to town. Cracroft proceeded to the Māori pā, where one of his men pulled the Māori flag down - winning ten pounds and a Victoria Cross. Many Māori were killed, as the main force was down on the flat fighting the volunteers at the Jury homestead. Eventually the volunteers were able to withdraw to town, late at night. Then Mr Woods tells of the circumstances in which the Victoria and New Zealand Crosses were awarded.
Part 6 –
Allie Wood speaks about his purchase of the land, sixteen years prior to the time of recording. Originally it had very ordinary pastures and most of the hillside was covered in fern. He subdivided the area (216 acres) into 40 paddocks with sheep and dairy cows, and supplies New Plymouth with milk. Claims he has the finest cowshed in Australasia.