October 24, 2012
Ruapekapeka protection to be stepped up
Te Ruapekapeka Trust has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Conservation to work together to protect the site of the last battle in the Northern Wars of 1845 and 46.
The pa built by Hone Heke and Kawiti near Kawakawa is recognised internationally for the superb engineering by Maori in the design of rifle trenches, bunkers, tunnels and stockades to counter British firepower.
Despite having limited supplies of ammunition, the defenders engaged the British in a siege for several weeks before abandoning the pa and in circumstances that are still subject to historical debate.
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