Listen Now: 
Descendants of both the Maori and the British who fought at the Battle of Rangiriri 150 years ago are gathering at the site this morning to commemorate one of the most decisive battles of the Waikato war.
The 861 British troops led by General Duncan Cameron needed to get past the fortified position beside the Waikato River to establish supply lines for their invasion.
In the battle, 36 Maori and 38 colonial troops were killed, and the action only finished when the British used a ceasefire to take prisoner the remaining 183 defenders.
Tom Roa from Nga Pae o Maumahara says it’s important the true history is told.
He says today’s commemoration is part of the healing process that started with the Waikato Tainui Raupatu settlement, which included an aologuy from the Crown.
"That apology has done so much good in terms of addressing the injustice but, more interesting the hurt that we Waikato Maori were labelled rebels, and all our ancestors were doing, was defending their land, their livelihood " says Tom Roa
Today’s commemorations open with karakia, and highlights will include the erection of two six-metre pou carved by Inia Te Wiata and the performance of a new haka composed for the occasion.
Copyright © 2013, UMA Broadcasting Ltd
RELATED NEWS
