Te Whare Karakia o Hori Tapu
St George’s
Anglican Parish of Gate Pā
All who enter here be reconciled
St George’s
Anglican Parish of Gate Pā
All who enter here be reconciled
Ko te Manawa-rere, ko te Manawa-rere, kia u, kia u!
Trembling hearts, trembling hearts, be firm, be firm!
Trembling hearts, trembling hearts, be firm, be firm!
St. George's Anglican Church sits on the site of the Battle of Pukehinahina - Gate Pā; one of the most significant events in the history of our city. Each year on 29 April St George's commemorate this significant event in our history, at 4.00pm in the afternoon, to reflect on the battle, which was won by Māori, and to reflect that on 21 June 1864, at Te Ranga, how that battle was lost. Many Māori ancestors from these two battles live here to this day and take part in the annual service at St George's.
The battles of Gate Pā (Pukehinahina) & Te Ranga
Please click images above to enlarge and see references
Identity and the Battles of Gate Pā (Pukehinahina), 29 April 1864 and Te Ranga June 1864.
The musket wars had already forced a major cultural shift reflected in radical new pā design and the missionaries had introduced Christian teachings. The New Zealand Wars, in which the Battles of Gate Pā and Te Ranga were fought, are an indelible part of the history of Aotearoa New Zealand and, as such, an ingredient in the shaping of national identity. The Battle of Gate Pā at Pukehinahina (puke hill, hinahina or mahoe tree) in April 1864 was one of the few outright victories for Māori against the British and occurred during a period of great identity upheaval for Māori. The following battle of Te Ranga (Pyes Pā) in June 1864 saw Māori lose that battle and so began raupatu - the widespread confiscation of land in and around Tauranga - the effects of which continue to be deeply felt today - and which will continue to be felt for generations to come.
The musket wars had already forced a major cultural shift reflected in radical new pā design and the missionaries had introduced Christian teachings. The New Zealand Wars, in which the Battles of Gate Pā and Te Ranga were fought, are an indelible part of the history of Aotearoa New Zealand and, as such, an ingredient in the shaping of national identity. The Battle of Gate Pā at Pukehinahina (puke hill, hinahina or mahoe tree) in April 1864 was one of the few outright victories for Māori against the British and occurred during a period of great identity upheaval for Māori. The following battle of Te Ranga (Pyes Pā) in June 1864 saw Māori lose that battle and so began raupatu - the widespread confiscation of land in and around Tauranga - the effects of which continue to be deeply felt today - and which will continue to be felt for generations to come.
Setting the scene - from Te Kohinga
ONCE A FLOURISHING ECONOMY: This was true for Tauranga Moana Māori prior to the British troops arriving in 1864 and blockading the harbour, and this led to the battles of Gate Pā on 29th April and Te Ranga on 21st June 1864, resulting in massive confiscations of very productive traditional Māori lands. This needs to be taught in schools, as part of our NZ history so our children and grand-children of all races and cultures can know the truth. A half truth is not true at all, it's a whole lie.
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Setting the scene - The English perspective
The deep connection between The Elms Te Papa,
the Battles of Gate Pā & Te Ranga, the Mission Cemetery & St George’s Gate Pā memorial church,
the Battles of Gate Pā & Te Ranga, the Mission Cemetery & St George’s Gate Pā memorial church,
Te Papa Mission Station, known today as ‘The Elms Te Papa’, was established by the Reverend Alfred Brown in 1838. The first structure to be completed was the library and eventually the mission house in 1847. During this establishment period Brown was busy and successful in his attempts to take the Christian message to Māori throughout the Bay of Plenty over rough terrain and in all weathers.
All this was to change when in the 1860s war came. In 1864 imperial troops arrived, camping on CMS land, and taking over Te Papa Mission Station buildings as their commissariat. Brown was torn between loyalty to Māori, to whom he had dedicated his life, and his natural bonds with fellow countrymen. The ensuing battle which took place on 29 April 1864, has become known as the Battle of Gate Pā or Pukehinahina. The story of the great Māori victory has been widely told, but for Brown the consequences were tragic.
All this was to change when in the 1860s war came. In 1864 imperial troops arrived, camping on CMS land, and taking over Te Papa Mission Station buildings as their commissariat. Brown was torn between loyalty to Māori, to whom he had dedicated his life, and his natural bonds with fellow countrymen. The ensuing battle which took place on 29 April 1864, has become known as the Battle of Gate Pā or Pukehinahina. The story of the great Māori victory has been widely told, but for Brown the consequences were tragic.
The Mission Cemetery - Otamataha Pā
The battle the consequences were tragic. The Reverend Brown was called on to bury, in the Mission Cemetery, not only his beloved Māori converts, but also his new English friends, including all but one of the officers who had dined with him at the Te Papa Mission House (The Elms Te Papa) on the eve of the battle. The battle of Te Ranga in June reversed the situation, with the British troops victorious.
The battle the consequences were tragic. The Reverend Brown was called on to bury, in the Mission Cemetery, not only his beloved Māori converts, but also his new English friends, including all but one of the officers who had dined with him at the Te Papa Mission House (The Elms Te Papa) on the eve of the battle. The battle of Te Ranga in June reversed the situation, with the British troops victorious.
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St George's memorial church mission: 'All who enter here be reconciled' For the Reverend Brown, however, and for Tauranga Māori, life had changed forever. Soldier settlers were given land previously occupied by Māori and local Māori were forced to abandon ancestral lands. The effects of this war linger today……Above the door at St George’s it says: ‘ALL WHO ENTRE HERE BE RECONCILED’ Thus St George’s Gate Pā’s pivotal role towards the healing of deep spiritual wounds. |
The battles: Māori v English
Timeline: Gate Pā battle site
This history of the Gate Pā Battle site was created as Appendix 1 to the paper above "Identity and the Battle of Gate Pā (Pukehinahina), 29 April 1864" written by Debbie McCauley on 5 August 2011 as part of a BA in Humanities and Information & Library Studies. View timeline here
This history of the Gate Pā Battle site was created as Appendix 1 to the paper above "Identity and the Battle of Gate Pā (Pukehinahina), 29 April 1864" written by Debbie McCauley on 5 August 2011 as part of a BA in Humanities and Information & Library Studies. View timeline here
Pukehinahina flag. Courtesy Tauranga City Libraries. Click the flag to read its history
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Courtesy of Tauranga Heritage Collection who hold the flag which is provenanced to the Battle of Gate Pa in 1864.
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Battle of Te Ranga - 21 June 1864
On 21 June the uneasy quiet in Tauranga was broken by gunshot. In the bloody exchanges that followed over 100 lives were lost, most of them Māori. The battle of Te Ranga, as it came to be known, saw Māori forces overwhelmed by British troops. Rawiri Puhirake and Henare Taratoa were among those who lost their lives that day. Read more
On 21 June the uneasy quiet in Tauranga was broken by gunshot. In the bloody exchanges that followed over 100 lives were lost, most of them Māori. The battle of Te Ranga, as it came to be known, saw Māori forces overwhelmed by British troops. Rawiri Puhirake and Henare Taratoa were among those who lost their lives that day. Read more
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Henare Wiremu Taratoa (1830-1864): The Code of Conduct
Read 'Orders of the Day' by Henare Wiremu Taratoa of Te Ranga's whose challenge to Colonel Greer of 28 March was followed by a letter setting down a Code of Conduct by which Ngāi Te Rangi would take up arms. Taratoa's stance was one inspired by his strong Christian conviction, a faith shared by many in the Tauranga district by 1864. To defend his people, and independence, was not to forsake a faith in God. Henara is laid to rest in the Mission Cemetery at Otamataha Pā in the historic precinct of Tauranga. Image of Henare: Alexander Turnbull Library. Ref: A-033-011. |
Henare Taratoa is laid to rest in The Mission Cemetery, Otamataha Pā (Cliff Road), Tauranga
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Rawiri Puhirake (1814-1864) Ngāi Te Rangi leader Rāwiri Puhirake Tuaia was the most influential chief in Tauranga during the time of the Battle of Gate Pā at Pukehinahina (29 April 1864) and Battle of Te Ranga (21 June 1864). His uncle was Reko who signed the Treaty of Waitangi in Tauranga in 1840. Henare is laid to rest in the Mission Cemetery at Otamataha Pā in the historic precinct of Tauranga. RH Image: Rawiri Puhirake: 'For his enemy.’ Lithograph, Wilson & Horton, Auckland, 1895 - NZ History. Alexander Turnbull Library Reference: C-034-002-3 |
Rawiri Puhirake is laid to rest in The Mission Cemetery, Otamataha Pā (Cliff Road), Tauranga
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Rawiri Puhirake tending to Colonel Booth as seen on his headstone
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Images: Courtesy Tauranga City Libraries: click images to enlarge and see references
Historic Anglican Apology - 1 Decdember 2018
Read more about this historic occasion here
Read more about this historic occasion here
Images: CR Brown
Want to learn more?
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Explanatory video made at the time of the 150 yr commemoration: Video by Murray Maunder, Vision Productions
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Victory & Gate Pā? by Buddy Mikaere and Cliff Simons
This book accurately documents the events of the Battle of Gate Pā and Te Ranga from both sides of the battles and for those interested in New Zealand History, this book is a must read. It is available at $40.00 from the parish office. Proceeds go to St George's Gate Pā.
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Take a guided tour
with historian Buddy Mikaere |
Free group & school tours
with Reverend John Hebenton here |
This tour takes in the integrated powerful history of The Elms, The Battle of Gate Pā and Te Ranga and shows how St George's plays an integral part in the ongoing Reconciliation of today. For more information ring Buddy on 021-384620, or fill in the form here or enquire at the parish office. |
We offer talks to any interested group. Download brochure here These are tailored for people of all ages, from school to adult groups. These talks been partly prepared by Cliff Simons, a local military historian, who recently co-authored “Victory at Gate Pa” with Buddy Mikaere, written to help people understand why the fighting broke out at Gate Pā, what happened during and after the battle. Contact the Parish Office 075787916, or fill in form below and click submit.
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Header image: by Dave Tipper - Courtesy Tauranga City Libraries
