Tauranga Domain has been transformed into a battle ground with guns, canons and people in period dress taking part in a military re-enactment as part of the Battle of Gate Pa 150th Commemoration events.

Today will see three firing salutes at 10am, 12pm and 2pm by the visiting NZ Armed Constabulary Re-enactment Unit contingent as battle demonstrations and musket firing.

A British pattern 12 pounder Coehorn Mortar being fired at Tauranga Domain today.

Getting ready for the military re-enactment with guns, canons and costumes in Tauranga Domain today. Photos: Tracy Hardy.

Pukehinahina Charitable Trust is organising the Battle of Gate Pa 150th Commemoration events.

Project director Buddy Mikaere says the lead up to today's event has been fabulous.

'The level of interest has gone up about 3000 per cent, especially with the new pou going in along Cameron Road. Everyone driving past, well you can't help but notice what's happening up there.”

Buddy says the people taking part in the re-enactment have from as far as Kaitaia and Hawke's Bay

'For the re-enactments today, we're expecting a good crowd at the domain. There will also be some people dressed in uniforms of the 43rd regiment, which was one of the regiments here in 1864.

'They will be giving a demonstration of skirmishing and firing their muskets as well.”

The first salute was scheduled for 10am, with the next planned for 12pm and then 2pm.

Buddy says in the alternate hours, 11am and 1pm, the other guys will be firing their muskets.

'There is a lot for people to see. It should be a fantastic afternoon.”

NZ Armed Constabulary re-enactment unit commandant, John Osborne, says they will be firing two six-pounder Armstrong field guns and five 12-pounder Coehorn mortars.

'They make a good noise, lots of bangs, flash and smoke.”

The group will be dressing in period costume and using replica guns of those used in the Battle of Gate Pa in 1864.

'The public will also be able to inspect the guns and get a chance to fire them by entering our free raffle.

"The Armstrong guns were brought to the battlefield on April 28, 1864, and set up in a battery with Coehorn mortars at a range of 350 yards. The six-pounder guns helped with an all-day artillery barrage of the pa site, lasting most of April 29.

'Two six-pounder guns were dragged across Kopurererua swamp and set up on the hillside opposite the pa, to fire directly into it.”

Believing the artillery barrage had killed all the Maori warriors, the 43rd Regiment of sailors, marines and soldiers charged.

But the Maori defenders were mostly unharmed due to sheltering in the deep trenches and bunkers.

'The attacking soldiers and sailors were met by a withering fire from the hidden defenders with many of them killed or wounded. The survivors turned and fled.”

Buddy says the firing of salutes brings to life the events of 1864.

'The public will be able to 'feel' what it was like on the battlefield. We hope it leads to them wanting to find out more about the battle, which was the founding of Tauranga city.”