It will involve cycling, swimming, running, and kayaking and canoeing around and past sites which were significant in those conflicts.
Planning is still in early stage but so far the plan is for the challenge to start in the middle of Russell with a 13km run up and around the flagstaff, out to the site of the first Parliament at Okiato - opposite Opua.
There will then be a 1.5km swim to Opua.
From Opua participants will run around to the marina where they will grab their canoes and complete a 10km paddle up the Taumarere River into Taumarere.
The 50km bike ride will begin somewhere by the United Clubrooms, up State Highway 1 to Te Ahuahu where Hone Heke's pa was.
From there the cycle will continue around Te Pua Rd towards Kaikohe, through Ohaeawai and back down to Kawakawa.
Mr Shortland said the final part of the challenge would involve a 16km run.
Mr Shortland said part of the reason a sport challenge was selected to commemorate the land wars was because he was thinking about his health.
"I'm mindful that Ngati Hine have gone through a loss of people we've come to depend on, like Erima Henare. We've lost a lot of leaders. I'm not feeling precious about my self but I still owe Ngati Hine a heck of a lot."
Mr Shortland said while the name of the challenge - E Rima - related to the five parts, Erima Henare would be in the hearts of Ngati Hine.
There will be two sections to the actual event - an elite section for men and women who want to contest all five stages, and a relay section for community teams, schools, clubs and sports people.
Mr Shortland said he was hoping to get on a bike in the next couple of weeks so he can cycle part of the challenge course on the day.