On January 27 1861 fighting between British and Māori forces at No. 3 Redoubt in Huirangi in Taranaki, led to the death of 50 Māori from Ngāti Hauā; Ngāti Raukawa; Ngāti Maniapoto; Ngāti Mahuta; Ngāti Awa (Te Ātiawa). This was one of many skirmishes in the 1st Taranaki War from 1860 to 1863.

Te Ara describes the following regarding the assault:

“A picked Maori force tried to surprise the Huirangi No. 3 redoubt before dawn, but the attackers were held back in the ditches below the parapets, taken in the rear by troops from the adjoining redoubt, and slaughtered with bayonets, rifle fire, hand grenades, and short-fused shells dropped amongst them by hand. They lost about 50 killed and 40 wounded, while British casualties were five killed and 11 wounded.”

www.teara.govt.nz/en/1966/maori-wars/page-2

Shown here is an image from a series of correspondence sent to Governor Grey.

The image is of a drawing of British positions in Huirangi in 1861.

Reference: R22396835 ACHK 16569 G13 3 / 112