Hapu¯ shares stories during visits to pa¯
Sharing the stories of a Taranaki hapu¯ ’s past pain helps to overcome it, visitors to a pa¯ site were told.
The second day of Te Pu¯ take o Te Riri, He Ra¯ Maumahara – a three-day national initiative to mark the nation’s land wars – saw public visits to three historic sites: Puketakauere, Pukerangiora and Mahoetahi.
The first shots were fired in the Taranaki war on March 17, 1860 after Te A¯ tiawa rangatira Wiremu Kingi Te Rangitake refused to sell land at Waitara to cater for ongoing immigration from Britain and Ireland.
Yesterday, members of Pukerangiora told stories of the pa¯ site on Waitara Rd, including the still-visible saps (covered trenches) which had been built by approaching forces.
Pukerangiora chair A¯ naru White said it took a year to advance from Te Ko¯ hia Pa¯ to Pukerangiora.
About 50 people attended the first of three visits planned for the day.
‘‘We need to share these stories to make people aware of where our people came from,’’ Pukerangiora hapu¯ vice chair and resource manager Kura Niwa told the crowd.
The leaders spoke of the relationship with nearby hapu¯ , how wars had taken place prior to the colonial battles, and also the three-month siege of Te A¯ tiawa.
‘‘They tried all measures of escape but it never occurred – two or three may have got out to go and seek help,’’ Niwa said.
Ultimately, many had taken their own lives by jumping over the cliff.
‘‘We lost a lot of people here through that siege.’’
Niwa said it was very important for the stories of the past to be told.
‘‘Having that two-way, that reciprocal understanding is going to help us moving forward,’’ she said.
‘‘Our grandparents, our forefathers never talked to us about this because of the pain and the anguish that they suffered, or their grandparents.
‘‘It’s almost like getting the truth out, to tell the stories and sharing it with the nation.’’
Other iwi ‘‘from all over’’ had also come to commemorate, and had also gone through the conflicts, she said.
‘‘It was about land and about divide and conquer. People have to understand that.’’
As well as the site visits there was an educational programme for students held at Owae Marae, in Waitara.
Te Pu¯ take o Te Riri commemorations began on Monday at Owae Marae with a welcoming powhiri attended by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and various dignitaries.
The commemorations wrap up today at Owae Marae, with closing comments from 10am.