It's important to note that the conflict was not a single, unified war, but rather a series of conflicts triggered by disputes over land ownership, the increasing European presence in the country, and different interpretations of treaties.
Here's a breakdown of the key periods:
* 1845-1846: The First Taranaki War began over land claims in the Taranaki region.
* 1860-1864: The Second Taranaki War erupted, primarily focused on the Waikato region, due to disputes over land confiscation by the British government.
* 1863-1865: The Invasion of Waikato occurred, a major campaign by British forces against Māori resistance in the Waikato region.
* 1864-1866: The Third Taranaki War saw continued fighting in the Taranaki region.
* 1868-1872: The Eastern Wars took place, primarily in the Bay of Plenty and Hawke's Bay regions, in response to Māori resistance to land confiscation.
While there were periods of peace and attempts at negotiation, the conflicts continued for over two decades, resulting in significant loss of life and profound changes to the social and political landscape of New Zealand.