Vincent O'Malley and the battle to learn our history

The New Zealand Wars Ngā Pakanga o Aotearoa is historian Vincent O'Malley's latest book on the bloody birth of New Zealand.

The wars are an integral part of the New Zealand story, but we have not always cared to remember or acknowledge them.

But interest in the wars is resurgent, with calls for for this part of our history to be taught in all schools and a national day of commemoration recently established.

O'Malley's latest book describes the causes, events and consequences of those conflicts.

This Friday he will deliver the Michael King Memorial lecture.

Mihingarangi Forbes spoke to O'Malley about his new work and the growing demand for our history to be taught in schools.

Watch the video for the full interview.