Bay battle sites go global

John Davidson, Buddy Mikaere and Mark Tandy at Gate Pa. Video and photos: Rosalie Liddle Crawford

New Zealanders living abroad will soon be able to set foot on home soil without having to cross the border, thanks to a new ANZAC memorial in New South Wales.

The memorial, situated at Hyde Park in Sydney, will feature soil from various locations around the world, including samples from two Bay of Plenty battle sites, which is being gifted by local iwi.

Royal Australian Navy Lieutenant Commander, Mark Tandy, says he is working closely alongside local iwi leaders.

'The NSW government have commissioned an artwork in Hyde Park, Sydney, to commemorate the Great War of 1914-18.

'To do that they are looking to collect soil samples from 100 different battle sites in 31 different countries around the world where Australians have either fought or been involved in peacekeeping operations.

'They've been able to identify three sites in New Zealand they would like to collect soil from, where NSW soldiers fought.

'We have presented a letter to local iwi to request for sacred soil at Gate Pa be gifted to the Australian government.”

Mark Tandy and John Davidson with the Pukehinahina soil sample (Gate Pa)

Liaising with Mark is Australian Government Defence Adviser John Davidson.

He says Te Ranga is another local site where soil will be collected.

'This soil will also be a part of the new installation.”

Director of the NZ Wars Study Centre for the NZ Defence Force Lieutenant Colonel Cliff Simons explaining where the trenches were located at Te Ranga.

Tauranga City Councillor Larry Baldock was one of many attending today's meeting at Gate Pa and says rather than being in attendance as an official, he was driven based on personal interest.

'I've always been interested in the Battle of Gate Pa and all of the developments that have been going on to remember it.

'I grew up in Gate Pa and as a little boy I came to the 100th anniversary as a student of Gate Pa Primary School so I've been fascinated in it for a long time.

'It's good it's getting the recognition it deserves it was an enormous battle.

'It's great it is remembered in other places in the world and that people can learn about Gate Pa and our city through that.”

Buddy Mikaere digging up soil at Te Ranga

Iwi spokesperson Buddy Mikaere says he is supportive of the installation.

'I'm pleased this soil is going to another country and put in a place where the background to it can be known and respected.

'A lot of Maori families have relations living overseas so it gives them a chance to touch home base by going to this memorial in Sydney.

”It is comforting to know that the detail of what happened at Pukehinahina and Te Ranga would be made known to a wider audience which made korero about the aftermath of the battles including land confiscations so much more meaningful.”

Copies of the letter that was sent to each of the three local iwi represented will be signed and framed versions returned to each one. The iwi representatives present at the soil gathering were Buddy Mikaere from Ngati Pukenga, Des Tata from Ngati Ranginui and Reon Tuanau from Ngai Te Rangi. Each iwi had ancestors fighting at Pukehinahina and Te Ranga.

The group, which included representatives from three local iwi, at the Gate Pa site

Visiting Huria Marae to hear the stories of Maori who died during the battles.

Visiting the grave sites of those who died during the battles at Pukehinahina and Te Ranga, at the Mission Cemetery

The dining room at The Elms where officers met for a roast dinner and communion the night before the battle of Gate Pa. Christina Brown played 'Abide with Me' on Charlotte Brown's 1829 piano. The battle commenced the following day at 4pm and ten of the men were killed.

After collecting the soil samples from the Pukehinahina and Te Ranga sites, the group visited the Huria marae, the Monmouth Redoubt and the Mission Cemetery, followed by a Devonshire tea at The Elms. Stories were recounted at each location of the events leading up to and following the battles.

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7 comments

smells of.....

Posted on 19-01-2018 15:13 | By Captain Sensible

This reeks of a strange PC & BS smell. The real truth is never important with this type of show.


Gifted?

Posted on 19-01-2018 15:14 | By MISS ADVENTURE

Thats strange, how does that happen, no one "owns" the land.


Great

Posted on 19-01-2018 16:57 | By Capt_Kaveman

im all for it but just remember the word "GIFTED" means what it means not stolen or taken


compo

Posted on 19-01-2018 17:22 | By dumbkof2

whats the betting compensation will be required within a few years a bit more of the gravy train


You two need help, seriously

Posted on 19-01-2018 18:23 | By R. Bell

disturbed, pedantic and definitely touched by envy. I offer my services free of charge. Robin Bell.


land

Posted on 20-01-2018 12:09 | By dumbkof2

stand by for the waitangi land claims in a few years time


All the usual suspects...........

Posted on 21-01-2018 14:43 | By CONDOR

...are involved in this little charade spinning yarns reconfiguring historical events to suit the occasion.Frankly this has all the hallmarks of a mutual admiration society the only thing missing is the long suffering Kiwi taxpayers.RIP.


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