The New Zealand Wars

What if, during the New Zealand Wars of the 19th Century, instead of the Maoris being split between themselves & the Colonial forces, the Maoris combined their efforts as a unified People against the British interlopers during these wars.

So could have the Maoris, in being united, defeat the British thus forcing them to leave?

Or would have the result pretty much ended up the same, even though Britain would have had to require far more men & resources in defeating the Maoris in the process?

And what kind of strain may have a much larger conflict in New Zealand meant for the British Empire as a result (if any)?

Discuss
 
If the British decided to put the troops in, they would put the troops in; the Boer War probably the finest example of this.
 
However, would this cause a domestic outcry along the lines of the Boer War which could weaken the empire in future conflicts, maybe show weakness if they give in to domestic pressure on the home islands and then the colonies scent blood and start simmering
 

67th Tigers

Banned
If the British decided to put the troops in, they would put the troops in; the Boer War probably the finest example of this.

It doesn't need to be flooding the country with half a million troops*. The British ended up with a division, and a rather unemployed corps train in NZ, with another division ready to be committed from India.

If things get worse, the British could commit their 2nd divison, and roughly 7% of the regular army would have been committed.


* a very rough orbat: http://www.geocities.com/littlegreenmen.geo/SA1900.htm
 
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