Historic sites of national importance
To support the preservation of Aotearoa New Zealand’s cultural heritage, $20 million was allocated from Kānoa - Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit’s Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) to protect and restore four historical sites so that future generations of New Zealanders may learn the untold histories of Aotearoa.
Historic sites of national importance that have received funding
The sites which have received funding include:
- Ruapekapeka Pā and Ōhaeawai in Te Tai Tokerau Northland
- Rangiriri in Waikato
- Parihaka in Taranaki.
All 4 sites are the scenes of historic battles or clashes between Māori and Crown forces in the 19th century.
Preserving these historic sites of national importance is an important part of telling our nation’s story and helping ensure their rightful position in the nation’s collective consciousness is maintained.
These investments are also a positive catalyst for tourism growth, generating employment and boosting tourism and regional economies.
The funding also sits comfortably within the Tohu Whenua network of Aotearoa New Zealand’s heritage places.
Ōhaeawai, Tai Tokerau Northland
Located near Kaikohe, the Battle of Ōhaeawai was another significant event of the 1845 to 1846 conflict.
The Ōhaeawai Community Cultural Centre received $1.79 million to restore and rejuvenate sites on Te Haara farm connected to the Battle of Ōhaewai, now known as Ngāwhā. These sites included Saint Michael’s Anglican Church, the Ōhaeawai battle area and the old Ōhaeawai Native School.
Historical background
The actual pā at the centre of the battle belonged to the Ngāti Rangi chief Pene Taui and was fortified by the Ngāti Hine chief Te Ruki Kawiti, the rangatira behind the design of the innovative defences at Ruapekapeka Pā.
Nearly 30 years after the battle, St Michael’s Anglican church was erected on the pā site in the 1870s. The nearby graveyard contains the remains of many of the British soldiers who died during the Battle of Ōhaeawai.
Find out more about Ōhaeawai and watch the full video series.
Ruapekapeka, Tai Tokerau Northland
Ruapekapeka Pā, based about 20km southeast of Kawakawa, was the site of a historic battle in 1846.
Te Ruapekapeka Trust received $2 million to make improvements to the reserve where the pā is sited ahead of the battle’s 175th anniversary in 2021.
The funding will allow the installation of a pou next to State Highway 1 to attract visitors to the pā and tupuna, or ancestral, pou for the pathway leading up to the pā.
Historical background
5 years after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, disagreement over its interpretation turned into an armed uprising. The ensuing conflict between British colonial forces and northern Māori in 1845 and 1846 culminated in the battle of Ruapekapeka Pā, where some 400 Māori warriors fought against 1600 British soldiers and their Māori allies.
The pā was built by the Ngāti Hine chief Te Ruki Kawiti and employed innovative methods of design and construction to ensure the protection of its occupants from rifle and artillery fire. These defences included intricate tunnels, rifle pits, trenches and formidable palisades.
The British were so impressed by the innovation that they later adapted them to European warfare methods.
Today, Ruapekapeka is considered one of New Zealand’s best-preserved battlefields. Ditches and bank defences, a cast iron cannon and earthen defences are still visible.
Find out more about Ruapekapeka Pā.
Rangiriri, Waikato
Rangiriri Pā, in northern Waikato, occupies an important place in New Zealand’s history as the scene of a significant battle which signalled the start of the Waikato Land Wars.
The Provincial Growth Fund provided $2.96 million in funding to improve the site, not only to remember the fierce fighting which occurred there but to also tell its important story to visitors.
Ngāti Naho, in partnership with Waikato Tainui, re-created a 120-metre-long section of the Rangiriri Pā battle trenches to share their stories as part of a unique live tourism experience - the Rangiriri Battlefield guided tour.
Historical background
The Battle of Rangiriri Pā is considered the bloodiest combat during the Waikato land wars and was marked by fierce and determined fighting which cost both Māori and Pākehā dearly.
The wars played a significant role in shaping New Zealand and the Rangiriri project provides an opportunity to learn the history of the war, the injustices of Raupatu, or land confiscation, and the impact the conflict has had on our society and politics.
Find out more about Rangiriri and watch the full video series.
Parihaka, Taranaki
Located in western Taranaki, Parihaka is a major site of historical, cultural and political importance in Aotearoa New Zealand, following the establishment of a large settlement of tangata whenua practicing passive resistance during the New Zealand Land Wars and its invasion by the Crown in 1881.
The Parihaka Papakāinga Trust in Taranaki received $14 million to improve infrastructure, including a new visitor centre, a new bridge, carpark and a large space for wānanga, conferences, workshops and tour groups, and new walking access through the wider papakāinga.
The visitor centre will house traditional and modern tāonga to educate visitors about the history of Parihaka.
Historical background
The settlement of Parihaka was established in 1866 for iwi Māori disenfranchised from their whenua. Led by Tohu Kākahi and Te Whiti-o-Rongomai, the people used peaceful resistance to challenge the validity of the government’s policy of confiscation and forced sales of Māori land.
The settlement was attacked by Crown troops on November 5, 1881, with the leaders arrested, much of the village destroyed and any remaining inhabitants dispersed, often violently.