Hundreds of people turned out before dawn on the 160th anniversary of the Battle of Gate Pā/ Pukehinahina for the special unveiling and blessing of the refurbished pou that line Cameron Rd at the Pukehinahina Reserve below St George’s Anglican Church.

Painted black to reflect the battle and its outcome, the eight carved pou face towards Mauao and represent the various tribes that took part in the Battle of Gate Pā, as well as the Imperial Forces.

Two of the carved pou, one representing Rāwiri Puhirake, Hēnare Taratoa and Pene Taka Tuaia, and the other representing Lieutenant General Sir Duncan Alexander Cameron. Photo: Sarah Webb.

They are carved from six pine logs and two tōtara logs and represent iwi participation in the 1864 Battle of Gate Pā | Pukehinahina and the link to their whenua.

The carving of these pou was overseen by the late kaumātua Peri Reweti Kohu during weeks and months leading up to the 150th commemoration of the Battle of Gate Pā, Pukehinahina on April 29, 2014.

Gathering around the pou for Ngāi Tamarāwaho / Ngāti Matepū at Gate Pā on the 160th anniversary of the Battle of Gate Pā/Pukehinahina. Photo: Sarah Webb.

Return of taiaha

This year’s 160th commemoration of the Battle of Gate Pā included the presentation of a special taiaha and document at Pukehinahina on April 29.

The taiaha belonged to Enoka Te Whanake, a great leader among his Ngāi Te Rangi iwi, and was used in the 1864 Gate Pā Battle.

Welcoming the return and presentation of a unique taiaha at Gate Pā on the 160th anniversary of the Battle of Gate Pā/Pukehinahina. Photo: Sarab Webb.

After the Tauranga bush campaign and battles, Enoka Te Whanake became close friends with Whangamata gold mine owner Nathan Goldwater, and to immortalise this friendship, Enoka gifted Nathan his taiaha.

Since then the taiaha has stayed with the Goldwater family, until 2017, when Aaron Goldsmith started the process of returning it to the people of Tauranga from Australia where it has been kept safe.

With the world pandemic, this was delayed, but the taiaha and a signed document legally acknowledging its return have now been presented on Pukehinahina to commemorate 160 years since the battle there.

Welcoming the return and presentation of a unique taiaha at Gate Pā on the 160th anniversary of the Battle of Gate Pā/Pukehinahina. Photo: Sarab Webb.