November 19, 2013
Rangiriri event open to all
One of the organisers of tomorrow's commemoration at Rangiriri hopes there will be a large turn-out from the public interested in learning more about their country's history.
The event marks the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Rangiriri, which cost the lives iof 41 Maori and 47 British troops.
The battle ended the next day when the British used an offer of ceasefire talks to capture the remaining defenders.
Tom Roa, the chair of Nga Pae o Maumahara, says as part of the ceremony, Waikato-Tainui will re-open the portals to those who died in battle 150 years ago and pay homage to their bravery and courage with oratory, haka and traditional chants.
He says the 1863 battle was a key incident in the New Zealand wars, and organisers see the commemoration as a chance to deepen understanding of the events that shaped the nation.
"We're very much looking forward and hoping that people will actually bring their children their grandchildren because this is a feature of New Zealand history which we believe has not been well documented for mainstream, and we welcome everybody and anybody to the commemorations on site at Rangiriri," Mr Roa says.
The karakia and unveiling start at 7am, followed by a powhiri for the defence Force and speeches from 10am.
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