Te Whakatōhea will gather at Ōhui domain  in Ōpōtiki on Saturday to commemorate the 160th anniversary of the Battle of Te Tarata, one of the pivotal moments in New Zealand's wars colonial history.

The battle occurred on October 5 in 1865, and saw devastating consequences and impacts, mass land confiscation, loss of life, and intergenerational trauma.

It stands as testament to an era of unwavering indigenous resistance from 1845-1872, when iwi and hapū across the motu defended their ancestral lands against a relentless colonial invasion designed to dispossess tangata whenua of their ancestral lands, for colonial settlement.

In 2025, a new generation have emerged to acknowledge their ancestor’s courage.

The occasion will be honoured by the presence of Te Kāhui Ariki of Te Kiingitanga alongside Te Whare Ariki o Te Heuheu and Ngāti Tūwharetoa. Government ministers, members of parliament, Waitangi Tribunal members and members of the Māori land court judiciary, local government representatives, and other dignitaries are also expected to attend.

The presence of Te Kāhui Ariki and Te Whare Ariki o Te Heuheu underscores the enduring relationships forged during those turbulent times and maintained across generations to this day.

"Te Whakatōhea and Waikato share an intertwined history throughout the New Zealand Wars, bound together by our collective resistance against the might of the Crown of the day and their colonising agendas," said Te Ringahuia Hata, chairman of the Te Tarata organising committee.

"160 years on, we will come together to honour all our ancestors and remember our history with the reverence it deserves. This is our expression of kōtahitanga – our unity in remembering the truth of our history and we are extremely humbled to be joined by 400 kaihaka from other rohe who have been practising with us since April this year."

The 160-year commemoration recognises not just a battle but solidifies and affirms the resilience of a people who continue to strive for restoration of their mana, dignity, and economic prosperity for future generations.

The event starts at 11am and the community are advised to drive carefully on State Highway 2 at the Otara Rd turn off. Otara, Gault and Factory roads will be closed for one hour from 12pm to 1pm with traffic management at all points.

Live coverage of the commemorations will be streamed on Te Tarata Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TeTarata150