page_title: Early naval vessels of New Zealand
section_title: River boats
hierarchical_section_title: Early naval vessels of New Zealand / New Zealand Wars / Waikato Flotilla / River boats
caption_attribution_description: Location map of Waikato River, North Island, New Zealand
context_page_description: A range of naval vessels were used in New Zealand from its early settlement years to the formation of the New Zealand Naval Forces in 1913. In the mid-19th century, these vessels included frigates, sloops, schooners, and steam-driven paddlewheel boats. In 1846, five years after New Zealand was first proclaimed a colony, it bought its first gunboat. In the 1840s and 1850s, steam boats were used to survey the ports and the coastline. In the 1860s, New Zealand established the Waikato flotilla, its first de facto navy.
  By the late 19th century, New Zealand was using cruisers and torpedo boats. In the 1880s, in response to the Russian scares, coastal defences were established, a mine-laying steamer was ordered, and spar torpedo boats began patrolling the main ports. In 1911, New Zealand funded the construction of a battlecruiser, and in 1913, the New Zealand Naval Forces were created as a separate division within the Royal Navy.
context_section_description: The Waikato River rises in the eastern slopes of Mount Ruapehu and flows through the Tongariro River system and Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake, before running 400 kilometres though the Waikato Plains until it empties into the sea at Port Waikato. The river and its tributary Waipa River, joining at Ngāruawāhia, took the British forces right into the heart of the war. Some of the river ships went up as far as (now) Cambridge on the Waikato and almost to Pirongia on the Waipa (using present place names).
  The 300-ton Pioneer, built in Sydney, is the first warship purpose-built for the New Zealand Government. She served the whole Waikato war. She was followed by two more purpose-built boats, the sister ships Koheroa and Rangiriri.
caption: The Waikato River system  It is to be hoped that the Calliope's gunboat, the schooner  Caroline, the paddle-steamers Avon and Sandfly, and the river-steamers Pioneer, Koheroa, and Rangiriri, and the men of the British Navy who manned them, will not be forgotten in our histories
   — Sydney Waters[25]
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