The Wairau Affray, the first serious clash of arms between Māori and British settlers in the New Zealand Wars, takes place.

The Wairau Affray of 17 June 1843, also called the Wairau Massacre and the Wairau Incident, was the first serious clash of arms between British settlers and Māori in New Zealand after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and the only one to take place in the South Island. The incident was sparked…