Fantastic and much needed book about this important part of New Zealand history. I read it as research for my post on East Pukekohe Church.

Vincent provides a very readable account of the war including both its lead up and the fallout afterward. He has gone to great lengths to furnish the Maori perspective which has long been missing from our collective memory. It's especially important in that it helps to understand why there is still a sense of anger and unfairness, and why Ihumatao for example is such an important issue.

Unfortunately it does make hard going at some points, only because the content is so confronting. In the end this is the story of a great injustice, and the victims were never to see things put right.

Perhaps one day we will be able to add another chapter, and give this book a happier ending. ( )