Those involved in plans to redevelop the site of the Battle of Te Ranga take part in a blessing of the land. Photo / George Novak
Those involved in plans to redevelop the site of the Battle of Te Ranga take part in a blessing of the land. Photo / George Novak
Work will soon begin on a $600,000 redevelopment of a historic Tauranga reserve that was once the site of one of New Zealand's bloodiest massacres.
A blessing was held yesterday at the site of the Battle of Te Ranga, on the corner of Joyce Rd and Pyes Pa Rd, tocommemorate the beginning of a project to transform the site into an educational facility and historic asset for Tauranga. The project is being led by Pukehinahina Charitable Trust and Ngāi Tamarawaho.
Project director Buddy Mikaere, representing both entities, said $600,000 had been allocated to the project through the long-term plans of Tauranga City Council ($450,000) and Western Bay of Plenty District Council ($150,000).
Mikaere said the money meant the trust was effectively able to fast-track its redevelopment plans and make the site an asset for the city.
Plans included a timber and ponga bund to help buffer highway noise, a sealed carpark area, forest walk, green space for recreational and community use and a traditional tomokanga (entrance) housing information panels telling the site's story.
A new memorial would be erected and the concrete block memorial in place since the 100th anniversary of the battle in 1964 would be removed.
The concrete memorial in place since 1964. Photo / George Novak
"We've gone from having zero funding to having enough to put up a really good move for that whole site and give it the status of its historical significance for Tauranga," Mikaere said.
On June 21, 1864, hundreds of Māori were attacked by British forces in what has been described as one of the bloodiest battles in New Zealand history. More than 100 Māori were killed or mortally wounded at Te Ranga, as were 13 British troops.
The Battle of Te Ranga followed the Battle of Gate Pā several weeks earlier, in which the British suffered many losses.
Te Ranga brought an end to fighting between local iwi and British troops.
Mikaere said Te Ranga was a historically special site but many people did not know what it was or even where it was. At the moment, it largely resembled a paddock and scrub.
Tamati Tata, Clinton Bowyer, Dave Clayton, Amber Clayton Green, Grant Schuler, Peri Kohu and Paul Greenshields at the blessing. Photo / George Novak
"The whole idea is to address this - not just its historic significance but a major part of the plan is to clear it off from the scrub that's there and replant it."
It was hoped the site would eventually host a lush forest environment similar to what it had been all those years ago.
One of the main groups to benefit from the staged reserve redevelopment would be future generations, Mikaere said.
Mikaere said about 1000 school children visited the site - which is near Aquinas College -each year and that number had gradually grown over the years. He expected once the site was redeveloped, it would become a far greater educational resource and taonga.
"I just know the numbers have been growing and will continue to grow even more, especially with the changed focus of the New Zealand school curriculum," he said.
Mikaere said it was hoped the Te Ranga site would become an asset to the city.
The Western Bay of Plenty District Council said in a statement the opportunity to do something special with Te Ranga Reserve offered "a chance to add significantly to the city's historic legacy through the development of such a historic site".
The project would add value to a historical landmark and assist with teaching history.
The council's $150,000 contribution would come from an existing fund for supporting iwi/hapū initiatives and would be spread over three years.
The Tauranga City Council and Bay of Plenty Regional Council were also contacted for comment.
