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Two Otorohanga College students have organised a petition calling for a national day to commemorate those, both Maori and colonial, who lost their lives in the Land Wars of the 19th century.
Waimarama Anderson and Leah Bell say their action was sparked by visiting the battle sites at Orakau and Rangiaowhia.
They took the petition to the Pukehinahina-Gate Pa 150th anniversary commemoration, where it was warmly received, and they have sent it to every secondary school in the country in a bid to gather at least 10,000 signatures.
Ms Bell says the wars continue to affect people’s lives today.
"It's important that we remember not just the soldiers and the warriors and the people that died. It's important that we remember how that has shaped us today and how it has implemented us as a nation," she says.
They will work with local MP Nanaia Mahuta to present the petition when enough names are collected.
There is a link to the petition on the Otorohanga College website. (http://www.otocoll.school.nz/)
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH WAIMARAMA ANDERSON AND LEAH BELL CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MTgyNjY=
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