Oceania

Conflict / Peace TreatyAlternative nameCenturyStart dateEnd dateSummaryContinent (fighting originated in)
Hawkesbury and Nepean Wars18th17941816The Hawkesbury and Nepean Wars were fought between the British Empire and several indigenous clans living in the area to the west of Sydney, Australia. Since the First Fleet arrived in 1788 at Port Jackson, marking the start of Australia’s colonisation, the settlers gradually started to claim more land. The construction of farms along the Hawkesbury River caused mostly guerrilla warfare with indigenous clans. British Forces, including armed settlers, defeated the clans living along the Hawkesbury and Nepean rivers, which led to the further expansion of European settlement.Oceania
War of Southern QueenslandBlack War of Resistance19th18431855The War of Southern Queensland, also referred to as the Black War of Resistance, was a conflict between the United Tribes, an alliance of Aboriginal tribes living in Southeast Queensland, and the British Empire. After decades of skirmishes, mistrust and resentment of British rule, an alliance of at least 13 indigenous tribes was formed, and it is this organisation that sets this conflict apart from more irregular, small-scale engagements. The United Tribes managed to impede further European settlement, but only temporarily as resistance eventually collapsed.Oceania
Black WarTasmanian War19th18241831The Black War, or Tasmanian War, was fought between the British Empire and Tasmanian Aboriginals over control of Tasmania. It is one of the most brutal frontier wars in history and was fought in guerrilla style. It was caused by the significant influx of European settlers in the 1820s, leading to a rise in conflicts between the indigenous people and ever-increasing settlers. The war almost wiped out the entire Tasmanian Aboriginal population and is sometimes regarded as genocide, because of the frequent mass killings, which took place especially after martial law against the Aboriginal people was declared in 1828.Oceania
1878 Insurrection in New CaledoniaGreat Revolt of 187819th18781879The 1878 Insurrection in New Caledonia, or the Great Revolt of 1878, was fought between the Kanakas (the native people of New Caledonia) and the French Empire. New Caledonia was annexed as a French colony in 1853 and thereafter colonised by settlers and missionaries. The insurrection of the native Kanakas was caused by the fact that a French delimitation commission decided to remove land from the Kanakas and open it up for further settlement. Partly due to the quick mobilisation of the European settlers, the insurrection was put down and colonisation of the island continued.Oceania
Flagstaff WarHōne Heke's Rebellion19th11 March 184511 January 1846The Flagstaff War, also known as Hōne Heke's Rebellion, was fought between the British Empire and a Māori tribe known as the Ngāpuhi. A clan within this tribe actually sided with the British, but Hōne Heke commanded a large part of the Ngāpuhi against the British. They perceived the expanding British authority in the Bay of Islands as a threat and objected to the relocation of the capital to Auckland. Several battles were fought, and during the war, the British flagstaff - a symbol of imperial power - was cut down four times. The outcome of this war is mostly considered as indecisive.Oceania
First Taranaki WarNorth Taranaki War19th17 March 186018 March 1861The First Taranaki War, or the North Taranaki War, was fought between the British Empire and a Māori tribe known as the Te Ātiawa. A minor chief within this tribe had sold land to the British, but the senior chief Wiremu Kīngi Te Rangitāke opposed this sale and took up arms against the British. British imperial troops were brought in from Australia and outnumbered the Māori. The outcome of this conflict was quite indecisive, and the number of casualties was similar on both sides. It ended in a ceasefire, negotiated by a senior member of the Kīngitanga, without specific peace terms.Oceania
Second Taranaki War19thApril 1863November 1866The Second Taranaki War was fought between the British Empire and the Taranaki Māori tribe between 1863 and 1866. Conflict erupted when 300 men of the 57th Regiment took possession of tribal land south-west of New Plymouth. The Te Ātiawa, Taranaki, Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāti Rauru and Whanganui tribes that occupied this land viewed this as an act of war. Brutal ‘scorched earth’ warfare against the Māori left the tribes weakened and intimidated, resulting in an uneasy period of peace, until the Third Taranaki War in June 1868.Oceania
Tītokowaru's WarThird Taranaki War19thJune 1868March 1869Tītokowaru's War, or the Third Taranaki War, was fought between the British Empire and two Māori tribes, the Ngāti Ruanui and Ngāruahine. The Māori were led by Riwha Tītokowaru, who had vowed to protect Māori lands from being claimed by European settlers moving into the Taranaki region. The ferocity with which the numerically small band of Māori warriors fought led to surprising victories. Tītokowaru’s campaigns have been described as the greatest threat to European dominance in New Zealand. However, the end of the war was quite abrupt with Tītokowaru's army falling apart overnight.Oceania
Franco-Tahitian War19th18441874The Franco-Tahitian War was fought between the Kingdom of France and the Kingdom of Tahiti, supported by the Society Islands in the South Pacific. The Kingdom of Tahiti was converted to Protestant Christianity by English missionaries, and when Queen Pōmare IV of Tahiti expelled French Catholic missionaries from the island, France retaliated. Under the guise of ensuring the safety of French Catholics living in Tahiti, they forced the Tahitians to become a French protectorate. This led to a guerrilla-style conflict which was decisively won by the French at the Battle of Punaruu.Oceania
Wellington and Whanganui Wars19th184621 February 1848The Wellington and Whanganui Wars were fought between the British Empire and Māori tribes living in the Wellington area and along the Whanganui River. From 1839 onwards, European settlers started moving into the Wellington area, leading to land disputes between the settlers and local Māori tribes. When shots were fired at the Hutt Valley in 1846, the British declared martial law. The Māori were led by Ngati Haua-te-Rangi chief Te Mamaku, commanding around 600 warriors against the British 58th and 65th regiment. He was involved in the peace talks after several inconclusive battles.Oceania
Bougainville ConflictBougainville Civil War20th, 21st1 December 198830 August 2001The Bougainville Conflict, also known as the Bougainville Civil War, was an armed conflict on the islands of Bougainville between those who wanted independence for Bougainville and those who were loyal to the Government of Papua New Guinea. It was the most violent conflict in the Oceania after the Second World War fuelled by a desire for self-rule, land disputes and the adverse environmental effects of mining operations. After many casualties, sometimes estimated around 15,000–20,000 Bougainvilleans, the Autonomous Bougainville Government was established.Oceania
Second Samoan Civil War19th18872 December 1899The Second Samoan Civil War was a conflict on the Samoan Islands involving the German Empire, United States of America, and the British Empire. These imperial powers had an economic interest in Sāmoa and heavily influenced the choice of Tafa’ifa, ruler of Samoa. In 1898, the role of Tafa’ifa was contested between Mata’afa Iosefo, backed by the Germans, and Malietoa Tanumafili I, supported by the British and Americans. It led to a violent civil war marked by the use of heavy artillery provided by imperial naval forces. It resulted in the partitioning of the Samoan archipelago.Oceania
East Cape WarHauhau Rising on the East Coast19th13 April 186512 October 1866The East Cape War, or Hauhau Rising on the East Coast, was a conflict involving the British Empire, Kūpapa or ‘loyal’ Māori, and the Whakatohea, Urewera and Ngai Tama Māori. It was fuelled by Māori resentment of the British resulting from their imperial land confiscations, along with the rise of the Hauhau extremists within the Pai Marire religion that mixed biblical and Māori beliefs. The war started after the ritual killing of the missionary Carl Volkner and Hauhaus entering Ngāti Porou territory. Several armed conflicts ensued, which led imperial forces to use this as justification to annex more Māori land.Oceania
Musket WarsPotato Wars19th18071837The Musket Wars, also known as the Potato Wars, were fought between numerous Māori Iwi throughout New-Zealand. When the Māori acquired muskets from European settlers in the early 19th century, it marked the end of traditional warfare using clubs and blades, and the beginning of more devastating, deadly warfare. The introduction of the potato and its far-reaching consequences on the Māori economy have also been suggested as a cause for this New-Zealand wide, inter-tribal conflict that led to territorial gains and losses for various tribes and claimed many Māori lives.Oceania
Leewards WarAnnexation of the Leeward Island19th18801897The Leewards War, or the Annexation of the Leeward Islands, was a diplomatic and armed conflict between the French Third Republic and the kingdoms of Raiatea-Tahaa, Huahine and Bora Bora. These island kingdoms were part of the Society Islands in present-day French Polynesia and resisted French rule throughout the 19th century. Attempts to thwart German imperial expansion in the Pacific led the French to place the islands under a protectorate in 1880 and formally annex them in 1888. This led to violent uprisings in the three island kingdoms that were however suppressed by the French.Oceania
First Fiji Expedition19thOctober 1855October 1855The First Fiji Expedition was a conflict between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Fiji. It was preceded by several incidents involving American commercial agents based in Fiji. To protect American economic interest on the island, a warship was sent under the command of Edward B. Boutwell. The Americans demanded financial compensation from Seru Espenisa Cakobau, the Vunivalu of Bau and self-proclaimed Tui Viti (‘King’) of Fiji. These demands were not met, resulting in an armed conflict and casualties on both sides, but no clear outcome.Oceania
Second Fiji ExpeditionVandalia Expedition19th6 October 185916 October 1859The Second Fiji Expedition, or the Vandalia Expedition, was a conflict between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Fiji. The direct cause of this conflict was the killing and cannibalisation of two American traders in Fiji. With their economic interest in Fiji, the Americans sent the sloop-of-war Vandalia and a small force under the command of Lieutenant Charles Caldwell to attack the village of Somatti, protected by 300 native warriors. The Americans achieved a decisive victory for which the Lieutenant received much acclaim.Oceania
Bathurst WarFirst Wiradjuri War of Resistance19th1822December 1824The Bathurst War, also known as the First Wiradjuri War of Resistance, was a conflict between the Wiradjuri nation and Great Britain. The settlement of British colonialists on Wiradjuri land placed enormous strain on food supplies while encroaching on sacred Wiradjuri sites. Wiradjuri resistance was met with a declaration of martial law by the New South Wales Governor Thomas Brisbane, and a so-called exterminating war that sought to massacre the Wiradjuri people. The Wiradjuri surrendered in December 1824.Oceania
Coniston Massacre20th14 August 192818 October 1928The Coniston Massacre was the outcome of a series of punitive expeditions, in reaction to the murder of a dingo trapper for breaking Aboriginal law. The expedition comprised both civilians and police. The death toll remains unclear; official records estimate around 31 Aboriginal people were killed, but a combination of alternative sources and Aboriginal oral histories suggest the number could be as high as 200.Oceania
Caledon Bay CrisisCaledon Bay Murders20thSeptember 19321934The Caledon Bay crisis, also known as the Caledon Bay murders, comprised a series of murders by Yolngu men in northern Australia, and the subsequent conflict with Australian settlers. In September 1932, five Japanese trepang fishermen were killed, allegedly by Yolngu men. Pressure from the Japanese Government and public speculation led to the launch of a punitive expedition, aimed at finding the alleged perpetrators. The expedition lead to clashes between Aboriginal peoples and settlers.Oceania
Corn Field Raids of 1827-182819thEarly 18271828The Corn Field Raids of 1827-1828 was one of the conflicts that were known collectively as the Australian frontier wars. It took place in the Moreton Bay Penal Settlement, in present-day Brisbane. Aboriginal groups plundered the penal colony’s food sources across various sites and destructed maize fields, possibly to starve out the colony inhabitants and as a protest against continuing settler occupation. Some Aboriginal raiders were killed or injured by penal colony staff.Oceania
Castle Hill Convict RebellionCastle Hill Rising19th4 March 18045 March 1804The Castle Hill Convict Rebellion, also known as the Castle Hill Rising, was a conflict between government troops and convicts that took place in the Castle Hill area of the British colony of New South Wales. The convicts were predominantly Irish political offenders who had been involved in the Battle of Vinegar Hill in Ireland and had been transported to the colony. The rebels planned to escape Castle Hill, take charge of a ship, and return to Ireland. Martial law was declared, and the rebels were suppressed. Sources suggest that between 12 and 39 rebels were killed.Oceania
Cooking Pot UprisingCooking Pot Riot19th1 July 18461 July 1846The Cooking Pot Uprising, also known as the Cooking Pot Riot, was a conflict that took place on 1 July 1846 between convicts held on the penal colony of Norfolk Island, Australia and its colonial administrators. Convicts mutinied against the withdrawal of privileges granted to convicts by a new settlement commandant, Major Childs. The changes included the prohibition of personal cooking and abolition of garden plots previously granted to convicts to grow vegetables. A number of colony staff were killed during the uprising.Oceania
Cyprus Mutiny19th14 August 182914 August 1829The Cyprus Mutiny was an escape effort by transported convicts destined for a penal colony in present-day Tasmania, Australia. The convicts aboard the British government-owned vessel named Cyprus seized the ship and sailed to Canton, China, where they claimed to be castaways or shipwreck survivors. Some of the men travelled back to Britain. Two people were tried and hanged for piracy in London; three were returned to an Australian penal colony.Oceania
Darwin RebellionDarwin Uprising20th17 December 191820 February 1919The Darwin Rebellion, also known as the Darwin Uprising, was a period of unrest in Darwin, Australia. On 17 December 1918 workers across Darwin went on strike over a lack of political representation following the Northern Territory’s transfer to the Commonwealth in 1911, which resulted in the Northern Territory losing all voting rights in the Australian government, prices soaring, and job losses. An effigy of the NT administrator Dr Gilruth was burned, and his resignation was demanded.Oceania
Eureka RebellionEureka Stockade19th18513 December 1854The Eureka Rebellion, also known as the Eureka Stockade, was an uprising of goldminers in present-day Victoria, Australia, against administrative policies of the colonial government. Key grievances were mining permit requirements, especially as gold retrieval began to fall, and aggressive licence enforcement. Miners organized along military lines and built a stockade that was attacked by government forces on 3 December 1854. In the ensuing armed clash, it is estimated that 22 miners and five government troopers were killed.Oceania
Rum RebellionGreat Rebellion19th26 January 18081 January 1810The Rum Rebellion, also known as the Great Rebellion in Australia, was a coup d’état orchestrated by the New South Wales Corps against Governor William Bligh. It is the first and only military coup in Australian history. Grievances against Bligh were complex but included his attempts to limit the dominance of military elites. The Corps arrested Bligh and imposed military rule until Major-General Lachlan Macquarie arrived from Britain and took over as governor in 1810.Oceania
Nauruan Civil WarNauru War19th18781888The Nauruan Civil War, also known as the Nauru War, was an armed struggle between supporters of King Aweida and rebel supporters of a rival to the Nauruan throne spread across 12 indigenous tribes. The war began against the backdrop of European introduction of firearms to the island, which is widely documented as having exacerbated the intensity and duration of the conflict. The war ended with the annexation of Nauru by the German Empire, with King Aweida restored to the throne. It is estimated that the conflict reduced the Nauruan population from 1400 to 900.Oceania
Girls’ War19thMarch 1830Date contestedThe Girls’ War was a conflict between northern and southern hapū within the Ngāpuhi tribe in present-day Russell, New Zealand. The conflict was born out of existing inter-hapū rivalry and the escalation of a minor disagreement to the exchange of threats and curses. Northern forces clashed with southern forces, during which time northern Ngāpuhi people largely retained control over the region. The conflict is documented as having concluded through missionary-led peace negotiations.Oceania
Sealers’ WarWar of the Shirt19thLate 18101821The Sealers’ War, also known as the War of the Shirt, was a conflict between Māori inhabitants of present-day New Zealand and European sealers. Sources suggest that the conflict emerged out of a misunderstanding between the two parties, which resulted in the killing of a Māori chief by the sealers. Subsequent clashes occurred between Māori and incoming sealers until 1823 when a peace was brokered, allowing peaceful contact and trade between the Māori and incoming traders to resume.Oceania
Ngāti Raukawa-Ngāti Kahu-pungapunga War17thMid-17th centuryMid-17th centuryThe Ngāti Raukawa-Ngāti Kahu-pungapunga War was a conflict between the Ngāti Raukawa and the Ngāti Kahu-pungapunga that took place in the mid-17th century in present-day New Zealand. War broke out following the murder of Korokore, the sister of a prominent Ngāti Raukawa rangatira (chieftain) named Whāita, by the Ngāti Kahu-pungapunga. Whāita summoned a war party, which attacked Ngāti Kahu-pungapunga forts and forced their retreat. The conflict ended in Ngāti Raukawa victory and territorial expansion.Oceania
War of Te Kupenga19thEarly 1820sEarly 1820sThe War of Te Kupenga was a conflict in early 1820s New Zealand between the Ngāti Te Whatuiāpiti and Ngāti Hinepare, on one side, against the Ngāti Tūwharetoa. The conflict began over a Ngāti Te Whatuiāpiti marriage disupute; the Ngāti Te Whatuiāpiti had two chiefs, who betrothed their children in an attempt to reunify the chieftan branches. However, the betrothed daughter married a chief from Ngāti Te Rangiita instead. A war party was assembled and launched in an attempt to seek vengeance for this ‘slight’.Oceania
Dog Tax WarHokianga Dog Tax Rebellion19thApril 1898May 1898The Dog Tax War, also known as the Hokianga Dog Tax Rebellion, was a conflict between a group of Northern Māori people and British colonial officials. The conflict had various causes, all relating to the encroachment of colonial administrative and legal policy over Māori autonomy. These included seasonal restrictions on bird hunting and the imposition of taxes on dogs. A truce was brokered, preventing armed clashes between the two sides.Oceania
Wairau AffrayWairau Massacre19th17 June 184317 June 1843The Wairau Affray, also known as the Wairau Massacre, was an armed conflict between colonial settlers and Māori peoples. Fighting broke out after the New Zealand Company tried to clear the Māori from Wairau Valley land, which the Māori maintained had not been sold to the settlers. Officials sought to arrest the resisting Māori chiefs. 22 settlers and four Māori were killed. An inquest found the land had in fact not been sold to settlers.Oceania
Bombardment of UpoluBombardment of Luatuanu’u19th24 February 184124 February 1841The Bombardment of Upolu, also known as the Bombardment of Luatuanu’u, was a conflict between inhabitants of the Samoan island of Upolo and members of the United States Exploring Expedition, also known as the Wilkes Expedition. The conflict broke out following the murder of a United States sailor by Upolu inhabitants and the refusal by their chief to hand over the suspects, which was in breach of an 1839 agreement. United States gunboats subsequently opened fire on the Samoans, torching an estimated 100 huts across two villages.Oceania
Malaita Massacre20thNovember 1927February 1928The Malaita Massacre was the result of a punitive expedition led by British government officials. The expedition was initiated in response to the murder of a British Government District Officer and his deputies by Kwaio warriors, which had occurred in resistance to a tax proposed by colonial authorities. The Kwaio held that the murders were acts of defence in protection of their freedoms and sovereignty. The responding massacre was brutal, killing 60 Kwaio people and imprisoning nearly 200, many without formal charges.Oceania
Third Tonga Civil War18th, 19thDates contestedDates contestedThe Third Tonga Civil War was a conflict that took place on the archipelago of Tonga in the South Pacific Ocean. Although the exact dates are contested, it occurred between the late-18th century and the early to mid-19th century. Some sources suggest that civil war broke out owing to the participation of young Tongan chiefs in the tribal wars of Fiji, while others hold that the war was the result of the murder of the 14th Tuʻi Kanokupolu king. The islands were united by King of Tona, Tāufaʻāhau, in 1845, which is sometimes given as the end date of the war.Oceania