NEW MEMORIAL TO FALLEN WAIKATO RANGATIRA UNVEILED IN TARANAKI

Parekura Collins, of Ngāti Hauā, says the memorial is a fitting tribute to his fallen tūpuna.

For Parekura Collins, a new memorial to honour rangatira of his Waikato iwi was not only a fitting tribute to his fallen tūpuna, but a way to restore the mana of their final resting place.

The three-metre bronze toki (adze), designed by acclaimed artist Rangi Kipa, was unveiled for the first time on Thursday, as part of a ceremony to celebrate the completion of the first phase of the $20 million Taranaki Cathedral redevelopment project.

One focus had been the creation of a memorial to Ngāti Hauā chief Wetini Taiporutu and his son Hemi; Ngāti Apakura chief Whararangi; Ngāti Kōura chief Hakopa; and two other unnamed rangatira.

The men were part of a group who travelled from the Waikato to the region at the beginning of the Taranaki land wars in 1860.

On November 6, they were attacked by a 700-strong band of British troops, local volunteers and militia.

After their deaths, it was arranged for the chiefs to be buried in the grounds of the cathedral. A stone memorial, marking the site, was later erected in 1930, but until then the graves were unmarked.

Collins, of Ngāti Hauā, was one of the 120-strong group who travelled to the region to be part of the blessing of the new memorial.

He said the impressive work, which sits on a stone-filled platform, provided proper recognition to his ancestors.

He said over time, the mana given to the chiefs’ final resting place had “diminished” but the toki not only restored that, but its ongoing status was assured by the church’s commitment to maintain it.

The three-metre long, bronze toki (adze), which services as a memorial to fallen Waikato chiefs who died in battle in Taranaki, was created by award-winning artist Rangi Kipa.

On November 6, they were attacked by a 700-strong band of British troops, local volunteers and militia.

After their deaths, it was arranged for the chiefs to be buried in the grounds of the cathedral. A stone memorial, marking the site, was later erected in 1930, but until then the graves were unmarked…