Flagstaff War

Flagstaff War
	Part of the New Zealand Wars
	; Hōne Heke removing the British ensign from Flagstaff Hill.
Date	11 March 1845 – 11 January 1846; (10 months)
Location	Northland, New Zealand
Result	Inconclusive
Belligerents
United Kingdom: Colony of New Zealand	Māori
Commanders and leaders
David Robertson-Macdonald (WIA); George Phillpotts †; James Everard Home; Tāmati Wāka Nene; William Hulme; Henry Despard	Hōne Heke (WIA); Te Ruki Kawiti; Pūmuka †
Units involved
Royal Navy HMS Hazard; HMS North Star; HMS Racehorse; HMS Castor; HMS Calliope; Royal Marines; East India Co. HEICS Elphinstone; HEIC Artillery; British Army 58th Regiment; 96th Regiment; 99th Regiment; Ordnance Royal Engineers; Royal Artillery; Militia Civic Guard; Volunteer Pioneers; Maori Allies Tāmati Wāka Nene; Eruera Maihi Patuone; Makoare Te Taonui; Mohi Tāwhai; Nōpera Panakareao; Wiremu Repa; Arama Karaka; Paratene Kekeao; Rewa; Moka; Wharerahi; Tamati Pukututu; Moehau; Wiremu Kingi Kaitara; Wi Hau; Rawiri Taiwhanga; Pomare;	Taua Hōne Heke; Te Ruki Kawiti; Pūmuka; Pene Taui; Te Haratua; Hikitene; Hara; Hautungia; Hira Pure; Te Atua Wera; Marupo; Ruku; Pona; Hori Kingi Tahua; Kauata; Tohu;
Strength
~313 sailors & marines; ~720 soldiers (58 & 99); 1 engineer; ~42 pioneers; ~70 armed civilians; ~450 Maori allies	~600 warriors
Casualties and losses
82 killed; 164 wounded	60–94 killed; 80–148 wounded
	Casualties of the Māori allied with the British are unknown.

The Flagstaff War, also known as Heke's War, Hōne Heke's Rebellion and the Northern War, was fought between 11 March 1845 and 11 January 1846 in and around the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. The conflict is best remembered for the actions of Hōne Heke who challenged the authority of the British by cutting down the flagstaff on Flagstaff Hill (Maiki Hill) at Kororāreka (now Russell). The flagstaff had been a gift from Hōne Heke to James Busby, the first British Resident. The Northern War involved many major actions, including the Battle of Kororāreka on 11 March 1845, the Battle of Puketutu on 8 May 1845, the Battle of Ōhaeawai on 23 June 1845 and the siege of Ruapekapeka Pā from 27 December 1845 to 11 January 1846. The conflict is seen as one of the first of the New Zealand Wars.