Ngāti Ira Secures Historic Publishing Partnership With Auckland University Press For "Tanewhirinaki"
Te Rua Rakuraku, pou tikanga of Ngāti Ira is proud to announce that the research group that has been leading the Ngāti Ira raupatu claims, have secured a publishing contract with Auckland University Press to publish "Tānewhirinaki " a groundbreaking book that will tell their story of survival, resistance, and hope in the aftermath of one of New Zealand's most devastating periods of colonial confiscation for the peoples of Te Whakatōhea.
Tanewhirinaki meeting house, rebuilt at Waioeka pa in 1886, after relocating it from Maraetahi Pā where rangatira Hira Te Popo had erected it as a house of wānanga and refuge for Te Kooti at Maraetahi, where they had fled after the battle of Te Tarata in 1865. It never stood for long due to the Napier earthquake, however the whare was constructed using a traditional knowledge of the mīmiro method, mātauranga Māori that in endangered of being lost, without the assistance of modern day architects who will capture this knowledge, document and record it.
'The next generation of Ngāti Ira intend to rebuild the whare again, and working with the Auckland University's School of Architecture and Planning to make it happen.' says Te Rua Rakuraku, pou tikanga for Ngāti Ira hapū and direct descendant of the 1860 rangatira, Hira Te Popo.
The publication announcement comes at a particularly significant time as Te Whakatōhea prepares to host the 160th commemorations of the Battle of Te Tarata on October 4th this year in Ōpōtiki, marking one of the most pivotal moments in the New Zealand Wars that forever changed the landscape of Te Whakatōhea and their hapū territories.
"This book represents more than just a historical account," says Rakuraku. "Tanewhirinaki symbolises our enduring hope, resilience and reclamation and our commitment to ensuring the sacrifices of our tīpuna and our people's resilience are never forgotten. Through this partnership with Auckland University Press, we can share our story with the dignity and reach it deserves."
The publisher, Auckland University Press, brings significant academic credibility and distribution capability to this important historical work. The partnership ensures "Tanewhirinaki" will reach both academic and general audiences, contributing to a more complete understanding of New Zealand's colonial history.
The book aims to provide a comprehensive account from Ngāti Ira's perspective of these traumatic events and their long-lasting consequences, offering insights that have been largely absent from mainstream historical narratives. It is also hoped that the book will be translated in te reo Māori as well.
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a day ago
- RNZ News
Tolaga Bay marae 'preparing people's minds' for moving their wharenui
Hinemaurea Marae ki Mangatuna is one of three marae in Tolaga Bay that is being relocated. Photo: Supplied/Wayne Ngata You either move or your house gets moved, that's how one marae north of Tolaga Bay described the choice to move their whare tīpuna to safer ground. Hinemaurea Marae ki Mangatuna is one of three marae in Tolaga Bay that accepted the government's support package to move to a new site, along with nearby Ōkuri and Puketāwai Marae. Takipu and Rangatira Marae in Te Karaka north-west of Gisborne will also relocate to safer ground. Wayne Ngata (Ngāti Ira, Te Aitanga a Hauiti, Ngāti Porou) is the project lead for the relocation of Hinemaurea Marae ki Mangatuna. The whare tīpuna sits only a few hundred metres from the Ūawa river and Ngata said that during Cyclone Gabrielle water came into the whare, and despite the stopbank around the marae it's not the first time this has happened. "You fix it up, it happens again. On a good day it's a good place to be, but as we are more than well aware, the world knows there is actually quite a few major extreme events taking place throughout the world, it's becoming more frequent, it will become more frequent here." Ngata said Hinemaurea is approximately 80 years old, it was founded in the 40s and 50s in a time before urban drift when places like Mangatuna were well populated. "Certainly in the last 50, 60 years we've seen people move to the extent that there's... maybe two houses that have residents in Mangatuna today. So there's push and pull factors, things like floods and cyclones are one of those push factors." Wayne Ngata (Ngāti Ira, Te Aitanga a Hauiti, Ngāti Porou) is the project lead for the relocation. Photo: RNZ/Justine Murray Ngata said he's seen five one-in-100-year floods in his lifetime and the whānau of the marae had discussed the possibility of moving even before Cyclone Gabrielle. "The most recent discussions were quite pragmatic, as our people were. You either move or your house gets moved by natural elements, so we're moving. "These things force you to make some pragmatic decisions." Ngata said for some the concept of moving a marae can be tough to accept, so preparing peoples minds for the move is one of the most important parts of the project and something the whānau of Hinemaurea are working through now. "Even though we've already made the decision and have discussed it a number of times there are some who will still feel emotional about it, especially when an actual move takes place or when it comes to a time to whakamoe whare, to put the old houses to sleep." The relocation project has been underway for the last year and Ngata said the whānau have a preferred site and are in discussions with the owner to purchase it. A local artist has also drafted a design and concept plan for the relocated marae, he said. "Our next step is to begin the earthworks which is a major part, so the site is south of the current site, about 2k, 3k but up on a hill. You know, makes sense why our people built on hills. "Depending on weather, depending on availability of contractors, we're hoping to have relocated and rebuilt by end of 2026 probably moving into 27." The government set aside a total of $136.215m, allocated from Budgets 23 and 24 to fund the Whenua Māori and Marae relocation Programme after North Island weather events. It includes the costs to relocate owners of 24 whenua Māori properties to safety as well as demolition of residential structures and covers some assistance to support affected sites of cultural significance, principally urupā. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
24-07-2025
- Scoop
Ngāti Ira Secures Historic Publishing Partnership With Auckland University Press For "Tanewhirinaki"
Landmark book to tell untold story of Te Tarata battle and its aftermath from iwi perspective ahead of 160th commemoration Te Rua Rakuraku, pou tikanga of Ngāti Ira is proud to announce that the research group that has been leading the Ngāti Ira raupatu claims, have secured a publishing contract with Auckland University Press to publish "Tānewhirinaki " a groundbreaking book that will tell their story of survival, resistance, and hope in the aftermath of one of New Zealand's most devastating periods of colonial confiscation for the peoples of Te Whakatōhea. Tanewhirinaki meeting house, rebuilt at Waioeka pa in 1886, after relocating it from Maraetahi Pā where rangatira Hira Te Popo had erected it as a house of wānanga and refuge for Te Kooti at Maraetahi, where they had fled after the battle of Te Tarata in 1865. It never stood for long due to the Napier earthquake, however the whare was constructed using a traditional knowledge of the mīmiro method, mātauranga Māori that in endangered of being lost, without the assistance of modern day architects who will capture this knowledge, document and record it. 'The next generation of Ngāti Ira intend to rebuild the whare again, and working with the Auckland University's School of Architecture and Planning to make it happen.' says Te Rua Rakuraku, pou tikanga for Ngāti Ira hapū and direct descendant of the 1860 rangatira, Hira Te Popo. The publication announcement comes at a particularly significant time as Te Whakatōhea prepares to host the 160th commemorations of the Battle of Te Tarata on October 4th this year in Ōpōtiki, marking one of the most pivotal moments in the New Zealand Wars that forever changed the landscape of Te Whakatōhea and their hapū territories. "This book represents more than just a historical account," says Rakuraku. "Tanewhirinaki symbolises our enduring hope, resilience and reclamation and our commitment to ensuring the sacrifices of our tīpuna and our people's resilience are never forgotten. Through this partnership with Auckland University Press, we can share our story with the dignity and reach it deserves." The publisher, Auckland University Press, brings significant academic credibility and distribution capability to this important historical work. The partnership ensures "Tanewhirinaki" will reach both academic and general audiences, contributing to a more complete understanding of New Zealand's colonial history. The book aims to provide a comprehensive account from Ngāti Ira's perspective of these traumatic events and their long-lasting consequences, offering insights that have been largely absent from mainstream historical narratives. It is also hoped that the book will be translated in te reo Māori as well.
NZ Herald
17-07-2025
- NZ Herald
New Zealand Wars: Unmarked grave of NZ Cross winner Captain Angus Smith in Ōpōtiki prompts call for memorial
What we do know is that Captain Smith won one of just 23 New Zealand Crosses awarded between 1856 and 1899, at which time New Zealand's top military medal was replaced by the Victoria Cross. These medals went to Māori and Pākehā who served in the New Zealand colonial forces during the New Zealand Wars, making the award one of the rarest military honours in the world. Captain Smith's medal is on display in the National Museum of Scotland. Nicol has lobbied for many years to have the names of war heroes from the East Coast etched on to war memorials and gravestones, his efforts gaining recognition for servicemen from World Wars I and II, Vietnam and Malaysia. 'To me, it is unacceptable that Smith, the first from this area to win the country's highest major military award at the time, does not have a marker on his grave,' he said. 'We have produced more war heroes from this part of the North Island than any other place in New Zealand – including Victoria Cross, George Cross and Distinguished Service Decoration winners. 'We should look after every one of them.' A Taranaki Herald description of Angus Smith said he was 'the beau ideal of an old cavalry officer, and personally was a fine-looking man'. Captain Smith's claim to fame is for his part in a bloody clash with Te Kooti's men when he was a young cavalry officer serving as a 'Cornet', the most junior officer rank of the day. He was in command of a unit ambushed on June 7, 1869, at a deserted Māori settlement at Ōpepe, on the shores of Lake Taupō. Colonel St John had set out with an escort of 14 men to select locations for the construction of redoubts and depots. After reaching Ōpepe, the abandoned kāinga of the chief Tahau overlooking Lake Taupō, the colonel decided it was a good location for a fort. St John left his men there and moved on without instructing the men to mount a guard. He said: 'You're as safe here as in the centre of London, safe as a church.' Not expecting any trouble, they piled their rifles and occupied three whare. The men shot some pigeons, killed some wandering sheep and washed their clothes. In the afternoon, they rested with their saddles and equipment stowed in a separate hut. Rain was falling, but one soldier, George Creswell, set off to look for a stray horse and returned later wet through. He took all his clothes off to dry them. Little did they know that an advance guard of Te Kooti's warriors, led by Te Rangi Tahau, was close by as they moved from Poverty Bay to the King Country. The Find a Grave Website says Captain Angus Smith lies in front of these two graves in Ōpōtiki Cemetery. Some say this group had been summoned by a spy among the colonials who had earlier lit mysterious signal fires. In any case, the 14 cavalrymen were suddenly surprised. Three Māori entered the camp armed with rifles. Not one of the troopers was armed, and when they tried to flee, the Māori opened fire. Creswell later said: 'There were a great many shots. I only had time for a hasty glance about me when I realised we were trapped. The place was full of Māori.' Stark naked, he made a run for it, managing to escape along with his comrade George Stevenson. Thinking they were the only two survivors, they made the 55km trek to Fort Galatea. Major John Roberts. The raiders killed nine members of the attachment outright, shooting down several who made a run for the bush. The marauding Māori collected 14 carbines, 14 revolvers, 14 swords, 14 saddles, 13 horses and 280 rounds of ammunition. This kit helped Te Kooti equip his 200 cavalrymen as they made their way to the King Country. A report in the Taranaki Herald said Captain Smith searched for the tracks of Colonel St John, but the rebels caught him on the road. The rebels stripped off his clothes and medals. They tied him to a tree and abandoned him to a slow death from thirst and starvation. Captain Smith remained there four days before managing to release himself, then headed north-south-west towards Fort Galatea. One report says he crawled to a stream and managed to drink on the seventh day, arriving at the fort with frostbite 10 days after the ambush. Did Smith deserve his medal? An account of the incident in the Taranaki Herald describes how the New Zealand Cross was bestowed on Angus Smith for bravery and endurance. Following his remarkable escape, the soldier was also promoted to Captain. The Imperial Government reissued the Crimean and Turkish medals Te Kooti's men stole from him. However, recriminations were swift. While the writer of the Taranaki Herald account gushed that Captain Smith was 'the beau ideal of an old cavalry officer, and personally was a fine-looking man', Captain Smith's fellow NZ Cross recipients saw things differently. The panel that opposed Captain Smith getting the NZ Cross included three who could perhaps be described as 'Land Wars heavyweights'. Major John Roberts, Captain Gilbert Mair and Captain George Preece were awarded their New Zealand Cross medals for bravery in combat. Interestingly, Captains Preece and Mair had considerable expertise in Māori language and culture. Both formed close relationships with Te Arawa, whose warriors they led in many skirmishes with Te Kooti's men. Major Roberts was active in the Taranaki wars under Gustavus von Tempsky, ahead of moving to Poverty Bay to confront Te Kooti, though he eventually handed pursuit of the rebel chief over to Mair and Preece. Captain George Preece. All three made it clear that, in their view, handing a NZ Cross to Captain Smith was a gross misuse of an honour reserved for valour, pointing out that he would normally expect to be court-martialled for dereliction of duty in failing to post sentries. As well as the loss of life in the colonial personnel at Ōpepe, Te Kooti's reward from the massacre was the trove of arms and ammunition he captured there. These were later used during his rampage across the North Island. Historians have argued over this, concluding that while Captain Smith did deserve to be censured, the bulk of the culpability had to lie with Colonel St John, who had known Te Kooti intended to march to Taupō. Though Captain Smith's medal was primarily for endurance rather than valour, none of his critics accused him of being a coward. Ahead of the fateful incident at Ōpepe, Captain Smith, who died in 1902, saw combat at Maukau, Te Ranga and Waireka. Before coming to New Zealand, he had served with the 93rd (Sutherland Highlanders) Regiment in the Crimean War. These soldiers were legendary. At the Battle of Balaclava in 1854, they formed the famous 'Thin Red Line', repelling a Russian cavalry charge with a formation of soldiers just two-deep, instead of the required four-deep formation. Captain Gilbert Mair. Colonel St John's career seemed to have survived his terrible advice to the soldiers at Ōpepe, because he turns up in a later newspaper report being praised by the writer for his fairness in overseeing balloting of land to soldiers after the wars. Years later in Ōpōtiki, George Creswell was talking to Māori who said: 'We could have got you that day George, when you were looking for your horse, but we didn't want to alarm your camp.'
