Today marks the commemoration of the Battle of Gate Pa at the site on April 29, 1864.
Exactly 150 years ago today, heavily-outnumbered Maori defenders of the pa routed the attacking British and Colonial forces after suffering a day-long artillery barrage.
Maori warriors perform the haka.
Following today's dawn ceremony, a Military Memorial Service will be held at Otamataha/Mission Cemetery from 9am-11am.
People will then make their way back to the reserve at 12pm for a powhiri to officially welcome the Maori King Tuheitia Paki and visiting tribes, along with Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby and councillors.
The main event scheduled for 2pm with a Commemoration Military March along Cameron Rd from Tauranga Girls' College to Gate Pa Reserve.
Cameron Road, between Munro St and George St is closed for through traffic until 6pm.
Laying a wreath in memory of those who fought in the Battle of Gate Pa. Photos: Ross Brown.
A bugler playing The Last Post at the Mission Cemetery today. Photos: Ross Brown.
Two women hold a moments silence at Mission Cemetery.
Reverend John Hebenton blessing the flagpole. Photos: Tracy Hardy.
17 comments
thanks for a great event
Posted on 29-04-2014 17:28 | By Darren
I took five children on the free bus this afternoon. We had a picnic in the sun while I told them the history of the battle and then we saw the parade arrive. It was a great event and thanks to all those involved in making this happen.
Theodorus
Posted on 29-04-2014 22:27 | By Theodorus
Let this also be a good remainder that violence and war does not pay!
Tree
Posted on 30-04-2014 15:31 | By dumbkof2
There is a large totara tree growing in me back yard. I can now chop it up and carve bits out of it and claim that it has cultural significence. I hope this does not become a yearly party event and my rates not going to pay for it.
Good effort - However --
Posted on 01-05-2014 14:54 | By Jitter
I was pleased to read that the celebrations had gone so well. However it would be gratifying to see "Maori" putting the same effort and enthusiasm into helping the less privileged of "our people" rather than continually demanding that central government provide money and resources.
Hey! dumbkof,
Posted on 01-05-2014 15:39 | By robin bell
perhaps you should.Hard to imagine what you would carve though.Maybe a pair of gumboots,or a sheep.Why don't you just leave people alone,if you had bothered to attend,you would have learned something,but no,you prefer to remain ignorant,ah! well such is life.Robin Bell.
Open your other eye,
Posted on 01-05-2014 20:50 | By robin bell
Jitter.It seems youv'e learned nothing.People from all sectors of the populace,are "continually demanding that central government provide money and resources"I hope you are not suggesting that only Maori do so.Robin Bell.
Unfortunate
Posted on 02-05-2014 16:40 | By Jitter
It is very unfortunate Mr Bell, that a certain small section of "Maori" are always in the forefront and in the news for demanding assistance from central government rather than trying to help their own people themselves. "Charity begins at home" so if they were seen to be making an effort to help their own people to begin with there would not be such a strong feeling from the rest of the populace.
Charity begins at home,
Posted on 02-05-2014 21:25 | By robin bell
you said it jitter.The small section of Maori you refer to,are the leadership all sectors of society have.Your obsession with all things Maori,is the real problem here.If you rise above you prejudice,you will find ample evidence of the effort Maori are making to help thier own people.Good to see that you finally recognise thier right to exist as a seperate entity,within the N.Z. context.Robin Bell.
charity begins at home
Posted on 04-05-2014 12:32 | By surfsup
Mr bell is right with his comments other than the fact that the rest of nz contribute to their "separate entity.If the believe they have is so strong then by all means allow them the freedom they obviously want but lets remove the umbilical cord that at this moment in time allows them that luxury
Its comfortig to know
Posted on 05-05-2014 10:39 | By robin bell
surfsup.Thanks for the compliment.There is no "umbilical cord" as you assert.It is ironic you should use that term.Maori have,for a thousand years buried the umbilical cord of thier children in this land.I won't bore you with the spiritual context of that.I respect it too much.Only you know why you disrespect Maori so much,they have always been a "seperate entity" within the N.Z.context.They will remain so,particularly in view of yours,and others disparaging opinions.They are as much part of this country as you,me and everone else.they enjoy no "luxury" to imply such is proof of prejudice.Cheers,Robin Bell.
robin bell
Posted on 05-05-2014 10:50 | By Capt_Kaveman
you need to face the facts, The ones getting the millions and are NOT helping their younger folk, you are blinded by your own arrogance
By all means ,
Posted on 05-05-2014 15:31 | By robin bell
Kaveman,Have a wee crack.As you do perhaps you could share your "facts".I warn you though I have heeps of my own.My arrogance as you call it,is simply a desire to counter your desire to denigrate.Maori achievement,health,and general wellbeing is up massively,thats up,up,up,Kaveman.Remember,insult is the weak mans impression of strength.(Eric Hoffer)very wise man.Robin Bell.
Thanks Robin Bell!
Posted on 06-05-2014 03:37 | By Tuturu
Thanks for your support Robin. The Pukehinahina Commemorations was a wonderful day, enjoyed by thousands of people and of different nationalities.
Thanks,to Tuturu,
Posted on 06-05-2014 10:52 | By robin bell
My wife,children,grandies and I all came away from the celebrations feeling like a "million dollars".Hope to repeat it all next year.Meanwhile keep up the good work.You have far more support, than maybe apparent in these columns.Good luck.Robin Bell.
Robin
Posted on 07-05-2014 13:32 | By YOGI BEAR
Our million I guess certainly not yours ... was that another Treaty Claim or what?
mr bear,
Posted on 07-05-2014 17:44 | By robin bell
Are you suggesting that I do not contribute?The difference between you and I,is that you single out Maori as the only cause of the problem we face.I on the other hand have no problem accepting that it was primarily the result of our greed.Repeated all over the world.The fact you see no significance in that,is further proof of your ignorance and racism.Robin Bell.
WoW
Posted on 17-05-2014 16:35 | By RK in the Bay
The thriving ignorance of some of the comments astounds me. To the person asking if this was a treaty claim: How about you scroll to the top of the article and read the one or two paragraphs about it. p.s. you may need to google the meaning of "commemoration" and any other big words that seem to be above your head. To the people saying M?ori need to do more for their own: if you knew half the people pictured you would know these people do a heck of a lot for the community, mainly in education, not just for the M?ori in the community either. Educate yourselves before you make dumb comments.
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to make a comment.