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The chair of Tauranga Moana iwi Ngai Te Rangi believes today’s commemoration of the battle of Pukehinahina Gate Pa marks a new beginning for the people of the region.
There have been a range of activities through the day, including services at the battle site and the cemetery where many of those killed in the battle from both sides were buried 150 years ago.
Charlie Tawhiao says many of the thousands of people who took part were wearing the clothes of the era, and there were opportunities for reconciliation despite the ongoing hurt done to the tribes by the British invasion.
"In spite of the hard feelings that have been raised in the pukus of our people there is atill a wimllingness to acknowledge that our future is in moving forward together and not continually digging up old hurts with which we can inflict wounds on each other," he says.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH CHARLIE TAWHIAO CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MTc1NzE=
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