Would you invade the Waikato?

Waikato lands extended south as far as Mookau, but Waikato iwi also had claims to land in the Taranaki region. By 1860 Taranaki Maaori and Crown officials fell into disagreement over land at Waitara, in Northern Taranaki. When this turned to war, Ngaati Maniapoto and other Waikato iwi travelled south to defend their fellow Maaori, and to defend their own interests in the Waitara land. Attempts were later made at peaceful resolution, but Crown officials remained suspicious of Waikato iwi and the Kiingitanga.

Imagine you are the British Governor for Aotearoa New Zealand, frustrated at the Kiingitanga’s involvement in recent Taranaki warfare and speculating that such a force might continue to interfere in colonial rule.

Would you solve the problem by bringing together a military force and invading the Waikato?