British Redcoats In NZ Land Wars:

A thoughtful & respected fellow shooter recently said .. " I have in the past been a 100% supporter of New Zealand police .. However, they have over the last few years destroyed my enthusiasm for them  - with their duplicity, arrogance and aggression towards those who have been more carefully vetted than their own recruits.  So right now I see no reason to cooperate with them when the result of that will be that they make our sport and our interests more difficult and more expensive."

If you have not yet watched this bit of video from COLFO - I recommend it for it's 'common sense' :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeDBlPK8dzk

NZ Armed Constabulary 1869 .. Formed 1846:

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- RNZ National broadcast an old interview with History Professor Charlotte MacDonald where she declared that during our 'Land Wars' as many as 18,000 British troops were rushed here by the London Secretary of State for War from all around the world to help suppress Maori resistance to white settlers taking their best lands - between 1845-1872.

That's quite an astonishing number - considering that our present 21st century military comprises less than 9,400 members.

These British Infantry regiments and RN Marines fought alongside a few settler volunteer militia - against only some 4,000 Maori warriors.

This overwhelming British force prevailed despite skilful & strong resistance - and then the government confiscated large tracts of land for "settlement" - while imprisoning Maori opposition.

At the time of the major campaigns in 1863-64 there were around 12,000 British soldiers in New Zealand. - About one in five of these soldiers applied to take their discharge from the army in New Zealand. - Giving up their issued rifle and uniform they became 'soldier settlers'.

British Soldiers of the Light Infantry Company, 65th Regiment (Yorkshire, North Riding)

- which saw action in Taranaki and the Waikato. Photo / Alexander Turnbull Library.

Much respect is due to those Maori warriors forced from their homes .. and it is most interesting that many of our current 21st Century military force are Maori (.. around 20% of our army).

Link to 2017 newspaper story: 
 https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11938508

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"Winter is coming" .. well yes of course - but change is coming soon to New Zealand in that our settlement by Maori and Europeans is to be introduced into the school History curriculum by 2022. - For the very first time since ownership and control of this beautiful land was assumed by "The Crown" - the factual historical record of the years of armed conflict will now have to be taught in our schools ...

Marty K.

A proud member & supporter of The Sporting Shooters Association of NZ.

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