The British won the Waikato War by defeating the Kīngitanga forces and taking control of the Waikato region.
Thousands of hectares of Māori land were confiscated by the government as punishment, even from tribes that didn’t fight.
The war left many Māori communities devastated, with homes, crops, and resources destroyed.
How did it change New Zealand or the people involved?
Māori:
Lost large amounts of land, especially in the Waikato.
Many were displaced, becoming landless and poor.
It caused long-term damage to Māori social and economic life.
The Kīngitanga survived but moved further south and continued to resist British control peacefully.
British settlers:
Gained access to fertile land, which was quickly given to European settlers and soldiers.
Strengthened colonial control over the central North Island.
New Zealand:
The war increased tensions between Māori and the government.
It left a lasting impact on race relations in the country.
Were there any treaties or agreements?
No formal peace treaty was signed after the Waikato War.
Instead, the government used the New Zealand Settlements Act 1863 to confiscate land from Māori.
Māori protested and challenged the confiscations for many years.
In summary:
The war ended with British victory and Māori land loss. It changed the future of New Zealand by increasing European control and weakening Māori independence. The effects are still felt today.