Waharoa and pou unveiled at Mātakitaki
18 Jan, 2021 10:04 PM
2 minutes to read
The waharoa (entranceway) to Mātakitaki forms the shape of a rūrū (owl) as a guardian of the surrounding lands. Photo / Supplied
Waikato News
A sacred site in Pirongia has been recognised with the unveiling of a carved waharoa (entranceway), mānuka palisade fence and three carved pou (posts) to commemorate the people who lived and died there in 1822.
The entranceway (waharoa) and posts (pou) were unveiled in December in the presence of King Tūheitia Paki, Cabinet Minister and Waikato MP Nanaia Mahuta, local iwi, representatives from Northland iwi, Waipā deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk and other dignitaries.
Bloody Pirongia Musket Wars battle site revisited in peace
17 Dec, 2020 03:00 AM
6 minutes to read
Kiingi Tūheitia (centre) leads the procession of Tainui, Ngā Puhi and dignitaries onto the Mātakitaki Pā site.
Kiingi Tūheitia (centre) leads the procession of Tainui, Ngā Puhi and dignitaries onto the Mātakitaki Pā site.
Dean Taylor is editor of the Te Awamutu Courierdean.taylor@nzme.co.nz
Mātakitaki Pā in Pirongia is one of the bloodiest battle sites in Aotearoa-New Zealand – not during the New Zealand Wars between Government forces and Māori from 1845-72 – but decades earlier between two powerful tribes with a history of fluctuating relationships, Tainui and Ngā Puhi, in what became known as the Musket Wars.