December 19, 2017
Ruapekapeka dead finally revealed
A Ngati Hine leader has welcomed the solving of a mystery about the fate of the British troops killed in the battle for Ruapekapeka in January 1846.
Archaeologist Jono Taylor has identified a communal grave containing the remains of the 12 soldiers and sailors killed when the British attacked the pa created by Kawiti for what was the last significant encounter of the northern war.
The grave was near where the British camped a cannon shot from the pa.
Pita Tipene says the hapu involved in the battle want to pay due respect to their former enemy.
"Cattle have roamed over them. Farmers have grown crops over the top of them in really what are quite shallow graves, hardly a metre down. So it's good news but now the discussions need to start about how we will memorialise them and ensure this spot remains sacred to everybody," he says.
Mr Tipene says the Maori dead from the battle were taken back to their home areas when the various hapu retreated and dispersed.
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