INTRODUCTION

Here is some information and activity ideas for teachers/parents to use to discuss the Battle of Gate Pa/Pukehinahina with their students/children. Written to be shared by Megan from www.facebook.com/todayinhistorynz

April 29 1864 - the date of the Battle of Gate Pa in Tauranga, a battle Historian James Belich said was 'arguably the most important battle of the New Zealand Wars’. This significant historical event, along with the battle of Te Ranga, were the founding of Tauranga city. As a result of these battles land was confiscated and the British settled in Tauranga.

Today in History April 29th : The Battle of Gate Pa April 29 1864

THINK ABOUT THESE QUESTIONS or DISCUSS THEM WITH SOMEONE
Have you heard of the Battle of Gate Pa?
If so, what do you know about the Battle? Why was there a battle here in Tauranga?
Have you been to the site of the Battle of Gate Pa?
Have you been to the Mission Cemetery where many Māori and British who fought in the Battle of Gate Pa are buried?
Have you heard of the New Zealand Wars that happened in the mid to late 1800’s?

READ
Practice reading the information below out loud if you have someone near to listen to you, or read it carefully in your head, thinking about what you are reading as you read it. Write down any words that you are unsure of the meaning and ask someone to explain them to you.

The Battle of Gate Pa happened on this day April 29 in 1864.
This battle was part of the New Zealand Wars, a series of armed conflicts that took place in New Zealand from 1845 to 1872 between Māori and new European settlers, also known as Pākehā.
There were many reasons for these conflicts - land was the main one. Māori owned it and the settlers wanted it.
Settlers also brought with them new laws and politics that largely excluded Māori.
The signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi should have meant that Māori iwi had undisturbed possession of their lands and taonga. Before the signing of the treaty, deals involving land sales were questionable, and the treaty stated that all Māori land should only be sold to the government.
But the treaty was increasingly ignored by the settlers,which resulted in anger and violence.
The Battle of Gate Pa was one of many battles that took place during the NZ Wars, which started in Wairau at the top of the South Island, with major battles in Taranaki and the Waikato before the battles in Tauranga.
General Duncan Cameron led the British troops (over 1600 men) into battle - Cameron Road was named after him.
A local historian is quoted as saying ‘The Battle of Gate Pa has captured people’s imagination for two reasons – firstly because of the defeat of an elite force of professional British soldiers by Maori, and secondly, because of the honourable conduct of Maori towards the dead and wounded soldiers.’
The British attacked the Ngāi Te Rangi stronghold of Pukehinahina (Gate Pā), defended by just 230 Māori fighters, after a heavy artillery bombardment. The Maori fired back from a network of underground trenches.
British forces suffered a humiliating defeat in the Battle of Gate Pā (Pukehinahina) on April 29 1864 with 31 killed and 80 wounded despite vastly outnumbering their Māori foe 10 to 1.
Honouring the Potiriwhi Code of Conduct, the wounded British soldiers were not maltreated but instead given water before Māori left the pa.
As a result of the battles of Gate Pa and the subsequent Battle of Te Ranga most of the land we now know as Tauranga was confiscated and the British settled in this area

DO
Watch this clip about the New Zealand wars https://www.youtube.com/watch…
Watch this short clip that shows how the pa was designed and what happened to the British troops
https://teara.govt.nz/en/video/36925/the-attack-on-gate-pa
Have a look at this website (http://www.battleofgatepa.com/) and complete the tasks below.
Go to the home page. Draw a picture of the flag from the Battle of Gate Pa (hint- it is the red and white flag).
On the same page there is a drawing of a Māori warrior and a British soldier. Choose one of them (or both) to draw.
It is very important that as Tauranga residents we know about what happened to Māori all those years ago. Imagine if your home and the land it is on was confiscated by the government and offered to others to buy or as a gift. Write how you would feel about this happening to you and your family.
Visit the site of the Battle of Gate Pa. It is next to Mitre 10 Mega on Cameron Road and has a lot of interesting information about the battle, and about the history of our city.
The Mission Cemetery is close to Pillans Point. It is on Marsh Street and overlooks the Sebel Trinity Wharf Hotel. Why not visit the cemetery to honour the men who fought and died in the Battle of Gate Pa.

Watch this longer clip with your whanau to learn more about the New Zealand Wars - it’s a great watch from the web series ‘The Aotearoa History Show” https://www.youtube.com/watch…