Staff from Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage attended a special ceremony this week honouring all those who fought at the Battle of Ruapekapeka 175 years ago, including the twelve British and approximately 20 Māori who died in the conflict, and the unveiling of a new grave marker.

Manatū Taonga has been proud to contribute to the creation of the new grave marker, named He Rua Whakautu mō te Riri (In Remembrance of the Conflict) in our role as the custodian of all official war graves in New Zealand.

Prime Minister Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern spoke at the ceremony, acknowledging the importance of understanding the key moments in our past, such as the Battle of Ruapekapeka in 1846, which have shaped our nation and identity:

“Let us teach it, let us learn it and let us remember it. Let us share our history with every student in every school and kura so that students are aware of how our country and identity have been shaped by key moments in our past – moments such as this, the Battle of Ruapekapeka.

“For when we fully understand the many paths of our ancestors, we build an Aotearoa New Zealand that better understands itself. Let that be a lasting legacy of 175 years of Ruapekapeka,” said Jacinda Ardern.

This week’s event was the culmination of a project spanning several years to better understand the archaeological features of the British campsite at Te Ruapekapeka Pā.

Following the Battle, the twelve British servicemen killed in the Battle were buried by their comrades in a simple communal grave near their camp. However, over the years, knowledge of the exact location of their grave was lost.

Te Ruapekapeka Trust has led a project with the Department of Conservation (DOC), who co-manage the Pā site, supporting research archaeologist Jonathan Carpenter in his quest to discover the grave as part of his investigation of the British campsite.

In 2017, a group of archaeologists from DOC and Heritage New Zealand and representatives from the Trust worked with Jonathan Carpenter, as he investigated a small portion of a pit he had previously identified as the likely gravesite. After careful work, the remains of two men were uncovered, and personal effects found confirmed this was the British gravesite.

The new grave marker acknowledges those buried there and ensures the site will be properly protected for the future. 

n attendance at the event were Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy, Governor-General of New Zealand, Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern Prime Minister of New Zealand, Hon Peeni Henare Minister of Defence, Her Excellency Ms Laura Clarke British High Commissioner to New Zealand, and Pita Tipene Interim Chair of Te Ruapekapeka Trust.

Distinguished guests, including descendants of those who fought on both sides of the Battle, local iwi and hapū leaders, and members of the public were also present.

Former Te Ruapekapeka Trust Chair, Allan Halliday, who passed away in December, was a respected colleague who displayed great commitment both to the Ruapekapeka Pā site and in developing this year’s 175th anniversary commemorations. Manatū Taonga expresses its sincere condolences to his whānau, friends and colleagues.

Find out more:

Read about the New Zealand Wars on Te Ara and NZHistory:

New Zealand Wars (Te Ara)

The Northern War (NZHistory)

Find out more about Ruapekapeka Pā:

Te Ruapekapeka (Te Ruapekapeka Trust)

Information on visiting Ruapekapeka:

Ruapekapeka Pā (Tohu Whenua)