September 01, 2020
Ruapekapeka overhaul set to proceed
One of the guardians of Ruapekapeka says any building on the battle site needs to respect its history and its status as a waahi tapu.
The Government yesterday announced an $8 million injection into the area just south of the Bay of Islands as part of its programme of highlighting significant heritage sites in Te Taitokerau.
Pita Tipene from Ngāti Hine says most of the money will go on upgrading the road access from State Highway One, with the balance used for services and interpretive signage at the place wherein 1846 elements of Ngāpuhi and British troops fought the last battle of the Northern War.
"What we don't want to do is desecrate what is a whenua tapu and start putting up buildings and digging into the ground but enhancing the visitor experience by ensuring there are paths people can follow, very good signage, very good parking and toilet facilities," he says.
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