1 July 1845
The Colonial forces under Colonel Despard launched their attack on the pā on 24 June, continuing all day until dark.
With little damage to the palisade, the guns were moved to within 200 metres of the pā the next day. The bombardment continued for another two days - with little further damage.
In the morning of 1 July, a Union Jack was flying above the pā. It was at half-mast and upside down, with a flying high above it. One of our had stolen the flag, a cannon and a hostage from the camp of Despard’s Ngāpuhi ally, the Tamati Waka Nene.
In his fury, Despard ordered the attack, finally refusing to heed repeated warnings from Tāmati Waka Nene.
Soldiers got within fifty metres of the pā, to be met by an explosion of our fire. At one stage a 5-metre bullock chain heated on hot stones was shot from a cannon, slicing down fifteen soldiers at once. Some soldiers managed to attack a section of the outer wall, only to be quickly cut down.
The attack devastated our enemy, with over 100 killed or injured. None of our people died.