Te Pūtake o te Riri, He Rā Maumahara Remembering the NZ wars

Leah Bell and Zak Henry were only high school students when they submitted a petition to Parliament to remember the New Zealand Land Wars, together with other Ōtorohanga College students.

Behind the scenes of a petition
The week before Te Pūtake o te Riri, He Rā Maumahara — New Zealand Wars are commemorated on 28 October, we have invited Leah Bell and Zak Henry to speak about their petition. In a conversation accompanied by a slideshow of photos they will talk about what inspired them to make a petition, how they gathered support and what the outcomes have been.

This event is particularly suited to high school and college students.
There will be an opportunity to ask questions.

About the speakers
Leah Bell, Pākehā/Tangata Tiriti, is a writer, activist, and graduate of the History programme at Te Herenga Waka: Victoria University of Wellington. Alongside Waimarama Anderson, Leah was co-signatory to the petition to parliament commemorate the New Zealand Wars as a statutory day of remembrance, and for New Zealand history to be taught in schools. She continues to advocate for conscientisation to Aotearoa New Zealand's histories alongside her kaipetihana whānau.

Zak Henry is 24-years-old, hailing from Ōtorohanga. His iwi affiliations are Ngāti Maniapoto and Pare Waikato. He has been a part of the petition since its inception and a driving force ever since.

Check before you come
Due to COVID-19 some of our events can be cancelled or postponed at very short notice. Please check the website for updated information about individual events before you come.

For more general information about National Library services and exhibitions have look at our COVID-19 page.

Image: Three key forces behind the petition. Left to right: Zak Henry, Waimarama Anderson and Leah Bell.