15 Nov Mana tū, mana toa, mana ake ake!

Nō Poteriwhi ngā ture o te riri, hau! Nō te waoku, ka ngiha ka nguha ka ngangana e!

Widely known within history books as a ‘triumph for the Māori’, the 1864 battle of Pukehinahina celebrated its 159th year commemoration on Labour Day this year. A range of events were held attracting thousands to commemorate the battles of Tauranga Moana – Gate Pā Te Ranga – commonly known today as Pukehinahina.

Rāwiri Puhirake, Pene Taka Tuaia and Hakaraia from Waitaha were the masterminds behind Pukehinahina defences as they had learned the art of trench warfare from their time spent in the north at Ruapekapeka Pā as tamariki. Constructing Pukehinahina so that Māori were inside the trenches, meant the British mistakenly proceeded onto the pā where they were then met with shots from the trenches underneath. The defensive ingenuity was met by the compassion of Hēni Te Kiri, who not only tended to the injured toa of Pukehinahina, but injured British soldiers as well abiding by the rules of engagement with pride and integrity.

Whītikiria te taua herenga waka!

Mārō whakateihu! Mārō whakatekei!

He mātāwaka! He mātātoa! Hi!

Turakina te ārai awa! Hō!

From the trenches of Ruapekapeka to the pā of Taranaki, masses of toa took part in the annual commemoration of Te Putake o te Riri. Commonly referred to as Te Akaaka Rauwhero, events kicked off on Monday welcoming the Kingitanga onto Pukehinahina followed by a second mass haka powhiri for the kāwanantanga. Despite the disappointment of no government officials coming to honour the significant kaupapa, the stance of all the toa, all the kaumātua, kuia, and especially our tamariki, coming together in one space to tell our stories that many wish to keep hidden from the public eye is well and truly a force to be reckoned with.

Te whare o te whakaaro nui!

Kia mau ki te ngū!

(Nā Te Rāwhitiroa Photography ngā whakaahua)