Student to speak with Apiata

Tauranga Girls' College student Maraea Ranui will join Willie Apiata as a guest speaker at the 150th Commemoration Dinner of the Battle of Gate Pa.

Maraea won the Battle of Gate Pa Secondary Schools Speech Competition held last night.


Tauranga Girls' College student Maraea Ranui and Commemorations project director Buddy Mikaere.

The Commemoration Dinner will be Trinity Wharf the night before the official Commemoration events on April 29 at Gate Pa [Pukehinahina].

The 16-year-old's speech on 'It is the morning of the April 30, 1864 and you have participated in and survived the Battle of Gate Pa... what are your thoughts? If you could send a message to the future about the battle what would it be?', won her the grand prize of $750.

The competition was open to senior secondary school students in Western Bay of Plenty secondary schools.

Each school was invited to run their own eliminations and put forward their best student and speech to contest the final.

ANZ Bay of Plenty regional manager Richard Nelson says judging this competition was extremely difficult due to the high standard of entries.

'The three judges were unanimous about choosing Maraea as the winner. Her delivery, content and overall result put her ahead of the rest.

'ANZ are proud to be the principal sponsor of this event and to be involved in educating our young people about the Battle of Gate Pa.”

Commemoration project director Buddy Mikaere says the quality of speeches by the students was outstanding and a testament to future generations.

'Maraea summarised the battle and its outcomes with mana. Ngai Te Rangi and Ngati Ranginui should be especially proud of her achievement."

The general public are invited to the free events leading up to and including the Commemoration on April 29.

On the day there will be a dawn blessing of the new pou and flagpole at Gate Pa Reserve, full military service at the Mission Cemetery, military march to the Gate Pa Reserve up Cameron Road, massed wero and haka by Iwi in response.

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