Māori chief Hone Heke, who had been one of the signatories to the Treaty of Waitangi, was becoming disenchanted by what he saw as Government oppression of Māori. Disgruntled too by the economic losses to his people, in July 1844 he led a faction to protest by cutting down the flagstaff and the Union Jack flying on Maiki Hill in Russell. The flagstaff was quickly restored but then cut down again three more times. The last was on 11 March … Continue reading War