Battle interest extends exhibition

A walk-through exhibition of the Battle of Gate Pa is being extended an extra week due to extensive interest.

The exhibition, which opened on May 3, was initially expected to run for three weeks, but will now run until Monday, June 2.

Battle of Gate Pa exhibition project manager Tereora Crane.

The exhibition showcases battle artefacts and allows people to walk through two alternate pathways leading to a model of the field of battle, which had its 150 year commemoration on April 26.

About 10,000 people have visited the exhibition, prompting Battle of Gate Pa Trust to prolong viewings for an extra week.

The opening was delayed one week due to funding arriving late, but Project manager Tereora Crane says it is not the only reason the decision was made to extend the exhibition.

'It just became really obvious that we needed to extend the exhibition opening so that more people could come through and see it.

'It gives people who had busy time schedules, to come.”

Tereora says it is pleasing to see a lot of schools visiting the exhibition and engaging with the story of the historic battle.

Although it is undecided where the exhibition will go once it ends, Tereroa says there are a number of proposals, including joining with the 150th anniversary of Battle of Te Ranga on June 21.

Tereora says feedback from visitors is it is wanted as an ongoing exhibition.

'Whether that's a permanent home or temporary exhibition times every year, we're working through that at the moment.”

The exhibition at Greerton Hall is open 10am to 4pm daily, with extended hours on Wednesday and Thursday until 8pm.

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1 comment

Gate Pa exhibition

Posted on 28-05-2014 13:28 | By Aster

Congratulations to those whose foresight and hard work have resulted in this excellent display. It is an important source of information about this formative period in Tauranga's history. Really encouraging to see so many young people,as well as all the others who are going to see it. Absolutely vital that this exceptional body of work is provided with a permanent home, so that visitors and future generations can continue to learn about this event in 1864,and the activities and events which preceded and followed it. Easily the best display I have seen in Tauranga,to date.


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