Fierce warriors as dignitaries, iwi, and the public marched through Kororareka. Photo/Stephen Western
Fierce warriors as dignitaries, iwi, and the public marched through Kororareka. Photo/Stephen Western
Hundreds of people from around the country gathered in Northland for the first official commemorations of the New Zealand Wars.
The commemorations, called Te Putake o Te Riri (The Cause of the Anger), began on Friday at Te Tii Marae with a traditional challenge and earth-shaking haka from bothTaitokerau Tira Haka (Northland's mass haka group) and the visitors.
It continued on Saturday with tours of the battle sites at Ohaeawai and Ruapekapeka while on Sunday - which marked 173 years since the war began - the focus switched to Russell.
Northern Advocate's Bay of Islands reporter Peter de Graaf captured Friday's events while Russell-based photographer Stephen Western was there as dignitaries, iwi, and the public proceeded through the streets of Kororareka.
Isaiah Apiata made a fearsome sight during the haka powhiri. Photo/Peter de Graaf
