“Ka whawhai tonu mātou mo ake ake ake”

Each year, the Ōrākau Paewai site south-east of Kihikihi is set aside as momentum builds towards the commemoration of Te Pakanga o Ōrākau which was the last defence against the invasion of the British. This took place at the crossing of the Mangatawhiri awa in 1863 and the battle ended 155 years ago with the defence of an estimated 310 men, women and children. On the 31st March 2019, descendants from Maniapoto, Ngāti Raukawa, Tūwharetoa, Tauranga Moana, Tūhoe, and the Muslim community, gathered in solidarity and peace to honor and remember our ancestors and those who have fallen then and now.

Click on the link to know more about the kaupapa: https://www.maniapoto.iwi.nz/orakau-155th-commemoration/