Heke, Hōne (1810?-1850), was a famous Māori chief whose dislike of British rule led to war in 1845. Hōne Wiremu Heke Pōkai, the chief of the Ngā Puhi tribe, was a nephew of another famous warrior chief, Hongi Hika. Heke considered that the conditions of the Māori people worsened after the Treaty of Waitangi. In July 1844, he cut down a flagpole flying the Union Jack at Kororāreka (now Russell). The British governor, Robert FitzRoy, ordered the flagpole to be reerected. But in January 1845, Heke cut it down twice more. FitzRoy offered a reward to anyone who captured Heke. In turn, Heke offered a reward to anyone who brought him the governor’s head. British troops reerected the flagpole and fortified it. On March 11, 1845, Heke captured the flagpole. He then plundered Kororāreka. This revolt began what is known as the Northern War. British soldiers, assisted by pro-British Māori, attacked Heke’s forces. In early 1846, the British gained control of a large pā (fort) called Ruapekapeka. A short time later, Heke and the British agreed to a peace settlement.
