Summer Public Lectures on The Battle Of Gate Pā

St. George’s Anglican Parish in Gate Pā is once again offering a summer series of free public lectures.

The first two lectures on the Battle of Gate Pā, on January 27th and February 3rd, will be given by local historians Lt Col Dr Cliff Simons and Buddy Mikaere, authors of the recently published “Victory at Gate Pā?” They will be bringing their up to date research done for their book published in October 2018 – the most thoroughly investigated and recently published book on the Battle.

In 1864 at the end of the Waikato War, Tauranga Moana iwi and the British Army with the Royal Navy faced off in two significant battles; Gate Pā and Te Ranga. The British were decisively defeated at Gate Pā but the tables were turned at Te Ranga where approximately 130 Māori were killed.

The aftermath of the battle saw large confiscations of Māori land and the establishment of the fledgling town of Tauranga. These evens reverberate down through time and still have an effect on the life of the city today.

Because St. Georges Anglican Church sits on the site of the Battle of Gate Pā, a significant Part of our purpose is honouring and telling the story of that battle and the Battle of Te Ranga and acknowledging the importance of that battle for our city today.

Above the doors to the church are written the words “All who enter here be reconciled”. By telling the story of the battles, and of Henare Wiremu Taratoa’s compassionate battle code and the actions of Heni Te Kiri Karamu we seek to offer a basis for Maori and Pākehā and people of all races to build mutual trust and respect and work together for the benefit of our city.

Before the important commemoration events in 2014 for the 150th anniversary of the battle of Gate Pā we offered a similar summer public lecture series. Since then we have offered a commemorative event at 4pm on April 29th which is well attended by representatives of local iwi, the local councils, army and navy personal and cadets; and the general public.

With the 155th commemoration coming up this year it is time to offer the lectures again.
There will be an opportunity for questions and discussion after the talks.

Dates and times:
Battle of Gate Pā with Lt Col Dr Cliff Simons and Buddy Mikaere
Sunday 27th January; 7-9pm
Sunday 3rd February; 7-9pm

Treaty of Waitangi with Rev Dr David Williams
Sunday 10th February; 7-9pm

All talks are at St. Georges Anglican Church, corner of Cameron Rd. and Church St., Gate Pā, above the Mega Mitre 10.

A koha will be collected to cover some of the costs.