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The proposed National Institute of the New Zealand Land Wars center would be located on the site of the 1864 Battle of Gate Pā, on the Pukehinahina ridge.
A “nationally important” cultural center that will tell the story of New Zealand’s land wars in Tauranga is one step closer.
The proposed National Institution of the New Zealand Land Wars was to be built on Gate Pā Recreation Reserve, site of the Battle of Gate Pā.
At a meeting on Monday, Tauranga City Council commissioners cleared the way for the center by voting to support in principle the reclassification of part of the reserve to a historic reserve, subject to public notice.
In 2020, the council received a proposal from Pukehinahina Charitable Trust, in partnership with Ngāi Tamarāwaho, to establish a cultural and historic center in the Gate Pā Recreation Reserve.
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SUN MEDIA/LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTING
The municipality has made a “big step” by supporting the idea of turning part of the Gate Pā Recreational Reserve into a historical reserve, says Ngāi Tamarāwaho Representative Buddy Mikaere.
Ngāi Tamarāwaho Representative Buddy Mikaere told Local Democracy Reporting that the reclassification was a “big step.”
He said the national institute would be the only one of its kind in the country.
The center would recognize the significance of the Battle of Gate Pā and other battles.
On April 29, 1864, the Battle of Gate Pā was fought on a ridge known as Pukehinahina. The pā consisted of two entrenchments with trenches and bunkers to entrap the British.
Māori were successful in their defence, with 35 British troops killed and 75 wounded, twice the estimated Māori casualties.
Mikaere said the center was “very important” and would help raise Tauranga’s profile.
“It also ties in nicely with the revised school curriculum, which puts more emphasis on New Zealand history.”
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The center would fit in well with the greater emphasis on New Zealand history in the school curriculum, Mikaere said.
Mikaere said the Pukehinahina Charitable Trust was working with Ian Taylor of Animation Research Limited and hoped to create a virtual reality experience of the Battle of Gate Pā.
“So you can put on your headset and whichever side you choose, you’re in the middle of the battle.
“We’re going to produce something great.”
The venue was expected to provide a workshop space, exhibition areas, performing arts space, plus space for a visitor experience of contemporary and traditional Māori life.
Architects engaged by Ngai Tamarāwaho described the design philosophy as a “…vision for Pukehinahina to portray the spiritual embodiment of memories, traditions and people” and “the construction of an iconic multi-purpose structure that re-imagines the return of Māori to Gate Pa sees”.
Speaking at the council meeting, Commissioner Shadrach Rolleston said the reservation was “significant, not only locally but nationally”.
“[There’s] an opportunity to create something very special [and] important from a national perspective. I think there is huge potential,” he said.
Commissioner Stephen Selwood supported Rolleston’s comments and said it was an important piece of Tauranga’s history that needed to be told.
He said there was a “risk and an opportunity” because the story had to be told “the right way” to attract potential funders.
“If we don’t have a compelling story about that, we’ll have a hard time with financing. If we have a compelling story, I think it will be a given,” Selwood said.
TAURANGA CITY COUNCIL/DELIVERED
An overhead view of the land at Gate Pā Reserve, which could be the site of a proposed National Institute of the New Zealand Land Wars.
Commissioner Bill Wasley was “really pleased” to be part of the rolling commitments made to Ngāi Tamarāwaho more than 20 years ago.
In 1999, the municipality entered into a memorandum of understanding with the opportunity to explore the possibilities for a cultural-historical center.
Commission chair Anne Tolley said reclassification of the land was intended to protect the historic site.
“As part of that, we supported the creation of this cultural exhibition center and told the story of the land wars.
Mikaere, who was also the trust’s project manager for the center, said estimated initial costs were about $250,000 and costs for the entire project were still unknown.
He said the target for completion was April 2026.