Moremonui

View of Moremonui from the Southern Hill

Moremonui or Moremunui is a location in the Northland Region of New Zealand, 12 miles south of Maunganui Bluff. It is known principally as the site of a Māori battle fought in either 1807 or 1808 between the Kaipara branches of the Ngāti Whātua, Te-Uri-o-Hau and Te Roroa iwi on one side and the Ngā Puhi iwi on the other. The battle is known as Moremonui, Moremunui or Te Kai a te Karoro (The Seagulls' Feast).

Moremonui was notable as the first occasion Māori used muskets in warfare. The first European settlement had recently been founded at Kororareka in Ngā Puhi territory, enabling that iwi to become the first to use Western weapons.

The outcome of the battle did not follow technological advantage. While reloading, Ngā Puhi were overrun by the defenders' counter attack, their rangatira (chief) Pokaia being killed. It has been claimed that up to a thousand warriors died, the majority Ngā Puhi hunted down after their ranks broke. Future Ngā Puhi war leaders Kawiti and Hongi Hika escaped due to Ngāti Whātua rangatira Taoho's restraint in stopping further pursuit. Taoho literally drew a line in the sand, beyond which Ngā Puhi were not to be killed.

Although only a small number of firearms were used, Moremonui could reasonably be called the first battle of the Musket Wars, as a thirst for utu (justice through revenge) motivated Hongi Hika's campaigns against the Ngāti Whātua over the next twenty years.

External links

• Monument