Michael Noonan (1853-1869) was a member of the armed constabularly
He served as a despatch rider in the NZ War
He was shot 10 April 1869 while carrying dispatches from Wairoa to Onepoto
He was 16 years old
He is buried Onepoto Grave, beside Lake Kiriopukae, Lake Waikaremoana (see photo at end)

This was the war ..

Te Kooti Arikirangi Te Turuki (1832-1893) was a Māori leader, the founder of the Ringatū religion and guerrilla fighter.

Te Kooti's War was among the last of the New Zealand wars, the series of 19th century conflicts between the Māori and the colonising European settlers. It was fought in the East Coast region and across the heavily forested central North Island and Bay of Plenty between New Zealand government military forces and followers of spiritual leader Te Kooti Arikirangi Te Turuki.
The conflict was sparked by Te Kooti's return to NZ after two years of internment on the Chatham Islands, from where he had escaped with almost 200 Māori prisoners of war and their families.
A meeting between Te Kooti and Tāwhiao (Tukaroto Matutaera Potatau Te Wherowhero Tawhiao, Maori King & Waikato leader) - had it taken place - would have been a confrontation of two prophets and leaders, each of whom had taken diametrically opposed positions on further war with the government. While Te Kooti viewed warfare as the means by which his vision of the return of their land would be fulfilled, Tawhiao had renounced armed conflict and declared 1867-68 as the "year of the lamb" and "year of peace"; in April 1869 he had issued another proclamation that "the slaying of man by man is to cease". Though there were radical elements in the Kingitanga movement who favoured a resumption of war, including Rewi Maniapoto and possibly Tāwhiao himself, moderates continued to warn the King that they had little chance of success and risked annihilation by becoming involved in Te Kooti's actions. Te Kooti had been angered by Tāwhiao's refusal the previous November to send reinforcements during their campaigns near Gisborne and had then threatened that if he remained aloof he would be cursed by Jehovah, who would command Te Kooti to march to Te Kuiti and put the king and his people to the sword.

Colonel Herrick's Expedition The Colonel's command consisted of the 2nd, 3rd and 5th divisions of armed constabulary, a large contingent of Arawa natives under the chiefs Te Pokiha, Matene, Henare and Petera Te Pukuatua and others and the corps of guides attached to the staff under Captain Swindley and his able assistant, Sergeant Christopher Maling.. During 1869 it was resolved to despatch a strong force against the rebel strongholds of Waikaremoana. This force consisted of nearly 900 men, of whom 350 were colonial troops and the balance made up of friendly Natives of the Ngati-Porou and Ngati-Kahungunu Tribes. The object of this enterprise was to destroy the crops and food-supplies of the hostiles, and to reduce several positions taken up by them at Matuahu and elsewhere on the western shores of the lake. This district had become noted as a refuge and recruiting-ground for rebel leaders such as Te Kooti, who, raiding down from these secluded ranges on the European settlements, rendered life and property alike insecure on the East Coast. On arriving at Onepoto, a redoubt was erected on a small hill overlooking the lake ..

Five Hundred Hauhaus
As might have been expected, the presence of 500 Hauhaus within a day's march of the town caused the usual panic among the peaceful inhabitants and this feeling of insecurity extended to the districts south of the river, so much so, that two divisions of the constabulary were sent to Turakina on the 22nd, as protection in the event of Titokowaru marching on that place, via the Upper Wanganui. This alarm was utterly unfounded and absurd, but the men were sent rather to restore confidence than because they were likely to be required. While things were in this uncertain state, Colonel Whitmore received orders to proceed with all his available force to Poverty Bay, where the settlers had a short time before been massacred by a sudden irruption of Te Kooti and the Chatham Islands prisoners. The defence of the Wanganui district would therefore be left to about 100 of the armed constabulary and the local forces ..

Colonel Whitmore (1829-1903), later Sir George Stoddart Whitmore, a notable NZ soldier, military leader, runholder and politician.

Tamati Ngapora, Waikato leader, lay preacher, assessor and senior adviser to the Maori King, had invited Te Kooti to Te Kuiti, but on the proviso that he came in peace. Te Kooti's response was one of defiance, warning that he was coming to "assume himself the authority which he coming directly from God was entitled to". His chief aim for the visit was simple: to rouse Tāwhiao's support for renewed war against the government and wrest back the confiscated land. Accompanied by Horonuku and about 200 Tuwharetoa, he arrived at Te Kuiti on 10 July 1869, immediately declaring that he was the host (tangata whenua) and that the Waikato were his visitors. At an assembly attended by 200 Waikato Māori, Te Kooti urged them to hold the land and keep up the fighting. But though Te Kooti remained there for 15 days, with the village in a heightened state of tension as he continued to challenge the mana of the king, Tāwhiao refused to emerge from his home to meet him. Te Kooti was finally offered every support short of actual hostilities—as well as a place of sanctuary inland on the Mokau River under the protection of Ngāti Maniapoto ..

THE FIRST WAIKAREMOANA EXPEDITION
Lieutenant Colonel J. L. Herrick's column operating at Waikaremoana, shortly after Te Kooti's raid on Mohaka, numbered about five hundred, half of whom were Maori (chiefly Ngati-Kahungunu). No. 2 Division Armed Constabulary joined it after the Ruatahuna expedition. Herrick's officers included Major Scannell and Captains Gudgeon, Newland, Northcroft, Richardson, Handley, Stopford and Spiller. Dr Gibbs was surgeon of the force. Herrick had previously acted well in a subordinate capacity, but was lacking in energy and initiative as a commander. The object was to cross Waikaremoana and penetrate the Urewera Country to Ruatahuna as soon as possible, in order to effect a junction with Whitmore's two columns from the Bay of Plenty side. Herrick's expedition was late in starting, partly owing to the difficulties that Captain Bower, Commissariat Officer, encountered in getting supplies over the Wairoa bar. After much delay Waikaremoana was reached without opposition from the Hauhaus and the force settled down to build boats and pontoons at Onepoto in which to cross the lake, instead of going on round the eastern and northern shores. Many weeks were thus wasted.

A change of Ministry took place and Colonel Herrick being unable to say when he would reach his objective, the expedition was recalled. Two large boats were sunk in the lake and one whaleboat was buried on the shore, where it was discovered by the Hauhaus soon after the force returned to Wairoa.
This expedition is considered to have been the most useless ever sent against the Maori; at the same time it was one of the most expensive. The only shots were fired by the Hauhaus (10th June), when they ambushed and killed Trooper Michael Noonan, who was carrying despatches between the lake and Wairoa

The Armed Constabulary were transferred to Napier, where they marched to Taupo, leaving detachments on the way to build fortified posts at Te Haroto, Runanga and Tarawera, guarding the line of communication between the Taupo country and Napier.

9 Oct 1869 Surrender of Te Heu Heu
TE KOOTI WOUNDED A despatch received from Colonel McDonnell, reports the surrender of Te Heu Heu, with his uncle and a few followers. Information obtained from Te Heu Heu is attached. I have already directed McDonnell to send Te Heu Heu down here and he is probably on his way by this time. I shall send word now to McDonnell to accept of course, the surrender of Natuaka and the rest of the Taupo people and to inform them that the Government are disposed to deal leniently with them, but must have a pledge of their good faith in the future. Our forces have gone after Te Kooti and I hope we may have an account of him very shortly. The Hakaraia referred to is, the troublesome Upper Waikato man - Ormond.

9 Oct 1869 Te Heu Heu's speech
in answer to the chiefs of Ngatituwharetoa .. I have little to say. Bad tribe, it was you who made the raid into the Uriwera country and afterwards left me as food for Te Kooti. I was left alone and forsaken by you. When I got to Tauranga I heard of the man who was killed. I then got frightened. Te Kooti came when I got back and I was taken prisoner. I have been such ever since. I have fought against you, but what was I to do. I was a prisoner. I blame you for my misfortune. However, I have nothing more to say. Te Kooti is here in the bush, go and find him.

12 Oct 1869 Telegrams from Napier state that our forces are following Te Kooti up on the Wanganui River. Te Heu Heu is not yet come in. No doubt exists that it is the original Te Kooti and the women say that Te Waru is with him. He had evidently intended to remain at Taupo as he had commenced ploughing for potatoes close to where the fight took place and had carts and horses there. Fifty-two dead bodies have already been actually got in the three engagements. The whole force did not exceed 250 men at first. There must have been many wounded and Te Kooti must no be where both food and ammunition will be scarce.

The facts about Te Kooti, how injustice made a rebel, as written in 1938

PHOTO (has zoom in option)
Cemetery at Onepoto
Showing the grave of Trooper Michael Noonan