The respected British 65th Hickety Pips 1846: A Maori friend and foe

The 65th Regiment's colors

The 65th Royal British Regiment in 1846 was moved into Aotearoa having been decorated in action overseas, from The Seven Years War (American Indians & French vs American Indians & British), The American Revolt (American Revolution), and with campaigns in South Africa. The British Regiment in Aotearoa New Zealand received their historical name "The 65th Hickety Pips", from battles in Maori campaigns, a name from the Maori themselves. The 65th Hickety Pips fought at "The battle of Gate Pa" during the Tauranga Campaigns and were well honored.

Maori held the British 65th in high esteem who were honorable soldiering men, and who conducted themselves with noble poise under the circumstances of War.

The British 70th regiment and the Forest Rangers (Illegal irregular soldiers) had though the opposite of honorable reputations and were regularly attacked with the most vile of intentions [see: Death of Gustavus Von Tempsky]. Journalized by British units, were accounts of Maori trade and supply to the 65th, who both identified themselves to each other before and during battle, and then exchanged conversation and favors.

“On my return to No. 6 [Redoubt], I found the Redoubt crowded with Maori men and women, heavily laden with peaches, melons, potatoes, pigeons, and other presents for the " Hikity-Fift," with whom they were fraternizing with the utmost cordiality and confidence — a cordiality by no means so conspicuous with the other corps.” [The Waitara and the War from a Civil point of View” - from the New Zealander - April 6. – Taranaki Herald, 20th April 1861 – p. 4]

In 1865, half of the regiment left back towards England, by the year 1871, British units were being recalled to India, it's unknown how many abandoned to new life in Aotearoa, but the unit was fully reorganized by 1881.

Research Notes:

There are quite a few other resources of information online of the British 65th Hickety Pips, all seem to know of the honorable mentions of the Regiment, even among the Maori opponents. Other resources have further details on the battles engaged. 

Posted in: A.P.I. A. Studies