The conflict , which overlapped the wars in Waikato and Tauranga , was fuelled Cause_change_of_position_on_a_scale by a combination of factors : lingering Māori resentment over the sale of land at Waitara in 1860 and government delays Change_event_time in resolving Resolve_problem the issue ; a large-scale land confiscation policy launched Process_start by the government in late 1863 ; and the rise of the so-called Hauhau movement , an extremist part of the Pai Marire syncretic religion , which was strongly opposed Agree_or_refuse_to_act to the alienation of Māori land and eager to strengthen Māori identity .

The effect was a creeping confiscation of almost a million acres ( 4,000 km² ) of land , with little distinction between the land of loyal or rebel Māori owners .

Chief among those issues was ( 1 ) the legality of the sale Commerce_sell of a block of land at Waitara , which had sparked Causation the first war , but Māori unrest was exacerbated by ( 2 ) a new land confiscation strategy launched Process_start by the Government and ( 3 ) the emergence of a fiery nationalist religious movement .

Another cause of growing peasant resentment and unrest would be attributed Causation the severe exploitation or confiscation of villagers by landowners .

The east coast hostilities came Motion at the close of the Waikato wars Hostile_encounter and before the outbreak Attack of Te Kooti 's War , both fought Hostile_encounter nearby , but sprang from causes Causation more closely related to the Second Taranaki War—namely , Māori resentment of punitive government land confiscation coupled Cause_to_amalgamate with the rise Cause_change_of_position_on_a_scale of the so-called Hauhau movement , an extremist part of the Pai Marire religion ( also called Name_conferral the Hauhau ) , which was strongly opposed Agree_or_refuse_to_act to the alienation of Māori land and eager to strengthen Māori identity .