Notes

Why the musket wars matter today
206 pages
illustrations (some colour), maps
A condensed, reorganised version of author Ron Crosby's The musket wars. (Back cover) Contents: The significance of the musket wars -- Features of the musket wars -- The introduction of muskets and the beginning of Ngāpuhi dominance -- The peak and decline of Ngāpuhi dominance -- Central North Island iwi react to musket power -- Te Rauparaha's coalitions - heke, raupatu, disintegration -- Impacts of the musket on Kāi Tahu and Moriori -- Eastern iwi responses to musket power -- The last conflicts
Summary: The author outlines why the Musket Wars were a crucial phase of New Zealand history and should be taught today. For, as he describes in the book The Forgotten Wars: Why the Musket Wars matter today, these conflicts between 1806 and 1845 were the longest period of continuous warfare in Aotearoa, and laid the basis of relationships between iwi and hapū ever since - not to mention featuring endless cycles of utu and feats of bravery, including the campaigns of Hongi Hika and Te Rauparaha