A 'hidden” plaque at a burial place for Ngai Tamarawaho casualties from the Battle of Gate Pa is being brought to the iwi and Tauranga City Council's attention as the city prepares to commemorate 150 years since the event.

Tauranga resident John Hodgson by the Ngai Tamarawaho plaque. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

About 3000 people are expected at Gate Pa Reserve to observe commemorations of the 1864 Battle of Gate Pa on April 29, which is being touted as the founding of the city.

Ahead of the commemorations, Tauranga resident John Hodgson told SunLive about a plaque he says has been forgotten, on a track in Kopurererua Valley.

When he came across the plaque about four years ago, while riding his bike , John says he found graffiti on it – which is still there.

'It disappointingly was not being recognised then, but now with the 150 years of the Battle of Gate Pa it's significantly more important for both Maori and European.”

The plaque, on a large rock, was unveiled by the Ngai Tamarawaho people on April 6, 2002.

'This Pouwhenua is placed at the site by the people of Ngai Tamarawaho ki Hu ria as a memorial to their ancestors, who were brought here from Rarotonga aboard Te Waka Tapu Takitimu by Tamatea Arikinui about 1350 AD,” the plaque reads.

The Ngai Tamarawaho plaque.

Peri Kohu, who was involved in establishing the plaque, says the hill in which the plaque is on is an ancient Pa – Oriri – which was later used as the burial place for Ngai Tamarawaho casualties from the Battle of Gate Pa.

'It also overlooks the valley of Te Auetu [The Valley of Tears] where the people came to mourn their losses after the battle.”

According to Peri, initial plans were to place the plaque on top of the hill but the rock was too heavy, which can explain its location.

Peri plans to highlight the rock along with Ngai Tamarawaho's involvement in the battle in a presentation on April 27, as part of the 2014 commemoration programme.

Tauranga City Council parks co-ordinator Craig Fea says council doesn't inspect the area often and wasn't aware of the graffiti. 'Council will be cleaning the plaque as soon as possible.”

Craig says the good news is council is undergoing park development in Kopurererua Valley, known as K valley, near Watling St and Tom Muir Drive, which provides a direct link between the Valley of Auetu and Gate Pa.

'The middle point, which has been covered in noxious plants and is impassable, is soon about to be opened up and become quite walkable – and we expect that to be followed up with interpretation commemorating the Battle of Gate Pa.”