Soldiers, Scouts and Spies: A Military History of the New Zealand Wars 1845-1864

A fascinating and detailed study of the major campaigns on the New Zealand Wars. As interest in the New Zealand Wars grows, Soldiers, Scouts andSpies offers a unique insight into the major campaigns fought between 1845 and 1864 by British troops, their militia and Maori allies, and Maori iwi and coalitions. It was a time of rapid technological change. Maori were quick to adopt western weaponry and evolve their tactics -- and even political structures -- as they looked for ways to confront the might of the Imperial war machine. And Britain, despite being a military and economic super power, was challenged by a capable enemy in a difficult environment. This detailed examination of the Wars from a military perspective focuses on the period of relatively conventional warfare before the increasingly 'irregular' fighting of the late 1860s. It explains how and where the battles were fought, and their outcomes. Importantly, it also analyses the intelligence-gathering skills and processes of both British and Maori forces as each sought to understand and overcome their enemy.

Lieutenant-Colonel Cliff Simons holds a PhD in Defence and Strategic Studies from Massey University and is Director of the New Zealand Wars Study Centre at Trentham Military Camp. This book is based on his PhD on military intelligence during the New Zealand wars and his deep knowledge in this field is reflected in the engaging narrative. He is co-author of Victory at Gate Pa? (New Holland, 2018) with Buddy Mikaere and is based in Tauranga.