19 – Tītokowaru i Moturoa
19 – Tītokowaru i Moturoa
Dimensions
- Painting 200x200mm
- Framed 410x410mm
- $650
Aerial View of Key Battle in the NZ Wars
On 7 November 1868, a group consisting of 250 Armed Constabulary and 300 Whanganui Māori set out towards Moturoa. Although the pā appeared to be only partially constructed, the site had concealed firing trenches and low towers made of packed earth.
Tītokowaru’s force waited until the last possible moment before unleashing a devastating attack on the exposed party. The ambush resulted in heavy casualties, with most of the attacking force lying dead or wounded within just a few minutes. The defenders then moved into hidden rifle pits on the flanks, maintaining a heavy fire that forced the attackers to retreat.
The casualties were significant; the attacking force lost 19 men killed and 20 wounded, while Tītokowaru’s force lost only one.
This painting is part of the Ngā Puke o Aotearoa exhibition that opened at Comber Street Studios in Paddington, Sydney on 31 March 2023.
Ngā Puke o Aotearoa, The Hills of New Zealand in Māori, continued the exploration of attachment to the New Zealand landscape and was made all the more personal by the discovery of Guy’s Māori heritage during the time these works were being produced.