Western Bay secondary school students will give a personal take of the Battle of Gate Pa in their bids to win a speech competition tonight, as part of the event's 150-year commemorations.

Year 11-13 students will be making speeches at Tauranga Girls College tonight to reflect a scenario of them being involved in the battle – and what message they'd send to the future about the event 150 years ago.

Tauranga resident Rob Hicks' replica of the Battle of Gate Pa, for the 150-year commemorations.

The competition brief is: 'It is the morning of April 30, 1864, and you've participated in and survived the Battle of Gate Pa. What are your thoughts? If you could send a message to the future about the battle, what would it be?”

Students speak for up to 12 minutes in Te Reo Maori or English from 6.30pm.

The competition's winner will receive $750 and be invited to deliver their speech at the Gate Pa Commemoration Dinner on April 28. Three runner-up prizes of $250 are also on offer, with all finalists to be gifted commemorative medals.

ANZ business development manager Shane Southby says his company is excited to sponsor the event, which will bring the significant historical event to life for students of Bay secondary schools.

'We have an incredible local history, and it's important that it is learned, shared and passed along to the next generation,” says Shane.

Tuesday, April 29, 2014, marks the anniversary of the battle in which Maori warriors inflicted a stunning defeat on more numerous British Colonial forces.

As well as the fighting, where the Maori were outnumbered almost 10 to one, the battle is known for the Potiriwhi Code of Conduct – which included provisions for respecting enemy wounded and the sparing of women and children – and preceded the Geneva Convention.

'This is an important event for our region and we are excited to be involved in the Battle of Gate Pa Speech Competition for our secondary schools,” says Shane, who says the competition's guest judge is ANZ Bay of Plenty regional manager Richard Nelson.

The free-entry event is on tonight from 6.30pm at Tauranga Girls College. For information, visit: www.battleofgatepa.com