The National Day of Commemoration for the New Zealand Wars, known as Rā Maumahara, is observed each year on 28 October as an opportunity for New Zealanders to reflect on the conflicts that shaped the nation’s early history.
University of Auckland historian Dr Rowan Light says the day is a vital opportunity to understand and engage with the complex legacies of the New Zealand Wars, which took place between 1845 and 1872. Around 3000 people were killed in these campaigns, about 75 percent of them Māori, representing a devastating loss for a population of only about 60,000 at the time.
“It’s hugely important that we have a day of commemoration in our national calendar,” Dr Light said. “It’s a chance to acknowledge and learn these histories as citizens.”
Dr Light, who studies how societies remember conflict, co-curated the exhibition Atarau: Stories of the New Zealand Wars at the Auckland War Memorial Museum in 2024 with curator Nigel Borell. The exhibition, still on display, explores the wars through taonga, artefacts, and personal stories that reflect the many experiences of those involved.
The name Atarau, meaning “many shadows” or “reflections,” represents the diverse and sometimes conflicting perspectives of people during this era. Dr Light said it reminds us of the need for a broader and more inclusive understanding of the past.
The date of Rā Maumahara was chosen by iwi leaders to coincide with 28 October 1835, the day He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Niu Tīreni (the Declaration of Independence of the United Tribes of New Zealand) was signed. The declaration was recognised by the British Parliament in 1836, six years before the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and affirmed Māori sovereignty.
Dr Light said the commemoration marks an important step in public recognition of these histories. “Commemorations like this don’t just happen by themselves,” he said. “They require commitment and participation. Rā Maumahara is our chance to build new connections.”
He said the day is also a challenge to Pākehā and tangata Tiriti to engage more deeply with this shared history. “I’d especially love to see young New Zealanders finding new ways to tell the stories of the wars,” he added.
Dr Light believes understanding the New Zealand Wars is essential for understanding modern Māori-Crown relations. “You can’t understand today’s politics without knowing about the land confiscations and the long-term impacts of these conflicts,” he said. “Listening to the voices of those who suffered from colonial violence helps rebuild trust and understanding.”
He added that the history of the wars is not only about conflict and loss but also about peace and diplomacy. “Leaders like King Tāwhiao, Wiremu Tāmihana, Henare Taratoa, Te Whiti o Rongomai, and Tohu Kākahi sought peace and reconciliation despite the violence their communities endured,” he said. “Their vision is something we should all remember.”
Dr Light said that through commemorations such as Rā Maumahara and exhibitions like Atarau, New Zealanders have a powerful opportunity to confront and better understand their shared past, building greater unity for the future.
