The War in New Zealand: Storming the Rifle Pits at Te Ranga, 21 June 1864

This print depicts the final battle at Te Ranga in the Tauranga campaign, as part of the Maori Wars (1864-1872) in New Zealand. The campaign started as a side show to the Invasion of the Waikato, where British Imperial Troops, on behalf of the New Zealand Colonial Government, were fighting a confederation of Maori tribes known as the King Movement. While they were defeated in the earlier battle at Gate Pa, the British were successful in the battle at Te Ranga. On the right hand side of the work the British troops march up a hill carrying bayonets towards the partially dug Maori trenches. The Maori forces occupy the left hand side of the composition defending their position with guns and other weapons. They meet the British troops in the centre of the composition, where a fierce gun battle takes place. In the foreground one Maori and one British soldier have been shot and both fall backwards onto the grass.