Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Following SH1 south from Auckland you're retracing the route of the colonial army in
the spectacular land grab that was the Waikato War. On 20 November 1863, around 1500
British troops backed by gunboats and artillery, attacked the substantial fortifications
erected by the Maori king's warriors at Rangiriri. They were repulsed a number of times
and lost 49 men, but overnight many of the 500 Maori defenders retreated; the remaining
183 were taken prisoner the next day after the British gained entry to the
pa
(fortified vil-
lage) by conveniently misunderstanding a flag of truce.
admission $3, film $5; 8am-4pm)
screens a short documentary about the battle, and
across the road the
Maori War & Early Settlers Cemetery
(Rangiriri Rd; 24hr)
houses the soldiers' graves and a mound covering the mass grave of 36 Maori warriors.
Next to the heritage centre is the historic
Rangiriri Hotel
(
07-826 3467; 8 Talbot St;
lunch mains $11-20, dinner $17-30;
11am-11pm)
, a cheery spot for lunch or a beer.
MAORI NZ: WAIKATO & COROMANDEL PENINSULA
The Waikato and King Country region remains one of the strongest pockets of
Maori influence in NZ. This is the heartland of the Tainui tribes, descended from
those who disembarked from the Tainuiwaka(canoe) in Kawhia in the 14th cen-
tury. Split into four main tribal divisions (Waikato, Hauraki, Ngati Maniapoto and
Ngati Raukawa), Tainui are inextricably linked with the Kingitanga (King Move-
ment), which has its base in Ngaruawahia.
The best opportunities to interact with Maori culture are the Kawhia Kai Festival
(
Click here
), and Ngaruawahia's Regatta Day and Koroneihana celebrations (
Click
here
). Interesting taonga(treasures) are displayed at museums in Hamilton and Te
Awamutu.
Reminders of the Waikato Land War can be found at Rangiriri, Rangiaowhia and
Orakau. See
www.waikatowar.co.nz
to download maps, audio files and and a
smartphone app covering various locations of the fighting from 1863 to 1864.
Dozens of marae(meeting-house) complexes are dotted around the countryside
- including at Awakino, and at Kawhia, where the Tainuiwakais buried. You won't
be able to visit these without permission but you can get decent views from the
gates. Some regional tours include an element of Maori culture, including Ruakuri
Cave (
Click here
) and Kawhia Harbour Cruises (
Click here
)
.
Although it has a long and rich Maori history, the nearby Coromandel Peninsula
doesn't offer many opportunities to engage with the culture. Historic pa(fortified
village) sites are dotted around, with the most accessible being Paaku (
Click here
)
.
There are others at Opito Beach, Hahei and Hot Water Beach.
