Today is the annual observance of Te Pūtake o te Riri – He Rā Maumahara, the National Day of Commemoration for the New Zealand Wars. The New Zealand Wars took place between 1845 and 1872, with a series of skirmishes and battles at various sites around the North Island. In Tauranga, where the commemorations this year are being held, local New Zealand Wars historian Buddy Mikaere (Ngāti Pūkenga, Ngāti Ranginui) says more people than ever are taking an interest in the wars. “One is that huge numbers of New Zealanders were denied an awareness of New Zealand history in their school years, or if they did learn anything about New Zealand history, it was a rose-tinted version of it. He also hopes in the future the official day of commemoration for the New Zealand Wars could become somewhat akin to Anzac Day in the consciousness of the New Zealand public.

Source: Stuff October 29, 2023 03:00 UTC