Battle of Gate PĀ - The Founding of Our City
Kia ora and welcome to the official website of the Battle of Gate Pā/Pukehinahina. This website was created in 2014 for the 150th Commemoration on 29 April and as an ongoing historical and educational resource. This also includes the Commemoration for the Battle of Te Ranga on 21 June.
A depiction of a Māori warrior and British soldier at the Battle of Gate Pā/Pukehinahina
Why Commemorate the Battles
A local historian quotes ‘One of the most often recounted stories of the Land Wars of the 1860's is the Battle of Gate Pā/Pukehinahina. It has captured people’s imagination for two reasons – firstly because of the defeat of an elite force of professional British solders by Māori irregulars, and secondly, because of the honourable conduct of Māori towards the dead and wounded soldiers.’
In commemorating the Battle of Gate Pā/Pukehinahina and Te Ranga we honour our Māori tipuna and British forbears who fought and died in Tauranga. These significant historical events were the founding of Tauranga city. As a result of these battles (including where the British overcame the Maori at Te Ranga), land was confiscated and the British settled in Tauranga.
By understanding our history
We can see how far our community has come
And look forward to our future together
Gate Pā/Pukehinahina and British flags
This website and all related events are managed through the Pukehinahina Charitable Trust, a group made up of local Iwi and community representatives. We would like to acknowledge the help of the regional tribes, Councils, Battle of Gate Pā Trust, our sponsors and the Tauranga community. Special thanks to the Gate Pā businesses and residents.
On Saturday 28 October 2023, we are holding an event in Tauranga Moana to support Te Pūtake o te Riri (Wars & Conflicts in New Zealand). Please see the poster for more details.
We are promoting these additional events on behalf of the organisers of Te Pūtake o te Riri ki Tauranga Moana.
