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Hone Heke was a significant Māori chief, who gained his reputation as an excellent warrior when he fought in the first battle of Kororareka in 1830, when he joined in Titore's expedition to Tauranga, and when he fought alongside Titore against Pomare II in 1837.

As the first Māori to sign the Treaty of Waitangi, he led the way for the other Māori chiefs to follow. The Treaty was signed in 1840 by more than 500 Māori chiefs of New Zealand and British Governor William Hobson who represented the British Government. It was intended to protect Māori land interests in exchange for recognition of British sovereignty, but very soon became a source of conflict between the Māori and the British occupants.

Hone Heke is considered to have instigated the Flagstaff War when he chopped down the flagpole carrying the British flag flying over Kororareka (an act he repeated twice more in the ensuing months). This was seen by the British as an act of rebellion, and led to war between the Māori people and the British. soon the two cultures were at war. A battalion of British soldiers was ordered to defend the flag but Hone Heke, with the assistance of Kawiti (another chief), caused a diversion and managed to cut down the flagpole for the fourth time.

For these actions, Hone Heke is considered a great champion among his Māori people.

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15y ago

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