It has been 160 years since the Battle of Te Tarata, and a new generation is gaining strength as it reflects upon how Te Whakatōhea emerged from this dark passage of history.

In 1865, British Crown troops attacked Māori of Te Whakatōhea at Te Tarata Pā, the engagement taking the lives of 35 from the tribe and wounding a further 35.

The warriors fought courageously but were outnumbered and outgunned. The colonial forces, who used horses stolen from the locals in the only cavalry charge of the New Zealand Wars, lost three soldiers.

The commemoration on October 4 gave eighth-generation descendants an opportunity to reflect on the conflict and its aftermath. Following the battle, many escaped to remote inland strongholds. However, Te Whakatōhea then faced raupatu (land loss), which impoverished and forced them to live on remnants of land they once had. Hardships followed.

Yet the commemoration was a reminder that the tribe is still standing.

The day comprised well-coordinated haka and song was framed by a violent electric storm, providing an unforgettable spectacle for performers and audience alike. Numbers were swelled by members of tribes whose ancestors also fought in the Land Wars.

Somehow it illustrated, “Ka mua, ka muri”, the idea that one can walk backward toward the future, secure in the knowledge of what has happened before.

A feature of the day was the presentation of certificate awards to rangatahi and others who had made contributions in, fields of education, sports, media, kapahaka and mana kōrero. The awards also acknowledged their commitment and dedication to te reo me ona tikanga.

The Opotiki News asked to speak to some recipients to build a fuller picture.

Thirty-six-year-old Storm Maxwell has lived in the area for about 12 years with his partner Matewai Wharepapa.

■ What was it like learning about local history?

“It was quite disheartening, especially the places of significance, and to hear all the hitori and what went on back then and where we are today. It’s the same story across the entire motu, a sad reality. One can only hope for better things in the future.”

■ What were your emotions when performing haka on the day?

“It was an amazing kaupapa to be a part of because we had been practising and learning hitori, waiata and haka for months.

It was amazing, especially for our tamariki. I had my 12-year-old son there with me. The sheer number of tamariki and tribal groups from around the country taking part made it extra special. I am so happy we could be part of it.”

■ What of the future?

“As my two young ones get older, I want to immerse them in whakapapa and reo. The idea is to set them up on a better pathway so they can be better than me.

“I wasn’t raised around the marae, or the reo and tikanga and all that. I will try to do my best to see that my boys have it. My studies are ongoing – I’m always trying to learn and grow. It’s a challenge but it’s not a sprint. I’m sure it will all come into fruition eventually.”

Legacy Jensen-Gilmer,14, enjoyed the day, though he did not perform in the kapahaka having been unable to make it to all the practices.

Legacy is an Ōpōtiki College student, and national speech competition winner.

■ How do events like the commemoration inspire you to go forward in life?

“I would like to give back to those who helped me build my reo. I would also like to help the mokopuna build their reo. Upon leaving school, I hope to study at Te Whare Wangana, Whakatane.”

Here he hopes to further studies in whaikōrero (oratory) a mode of communication central to traditional Māori life, which Legacy has a passion for.

His winning speech gave a stirring account of the roots of his Ringatū faith, relating events from when it was founded by the prophet Te Kooti Arikirangi Te Tūruki in the mid-1860s.

One of the event organisers, Maru Patterson, said both Māori and Pakeha worlds were vital to education.

“We want our kids to grow up being comfortable in our surroundings, our marae as well as coming out into the place some call the real world, where employment is important. They might want to head into a more corporate space. If so, we provide the foundation knowledge of where they came from, so they can take that with them.

“English is also a beautiful language. Teaching our kids both languages is to us as Māori people very important. What this event did to the two people back in 1865 caused a huge division. Our hope and dream is that the two people – Māori and Pakeha – can come together and work together. I think that we do that quite well here in Ōpōtiki.

“We all have different values, different processes, different systems that we live by and believe in, but if we can come together and unite . . . My father’s generation grew up not knowing the language, with very little tikanga.

And it’s because of the raupatu (the historical confiscation of Māori land causing significant economic hardship).  

“It has forced us to look at life differently, but there have been significant victories.

“One example; back in 1996 our school was opened as a total immersion Māori school. We must thank those people who fought for this because it has been a key in keeping the language alive here.”

Achievement awards were: Kuta Tuatahi (primary): Te Ua Pounamu Tai and MacKenzie Williams.

Kua Tuarua (college): Legacy Jensen-Gilmer and Kupa Poihipi.

Pakeke (mature) Mickey Huriwaka; Storm Maxwell; Te Ataahua Kingi; Charmaine Gage; Awhina Kurei; Tahlia Temepara.

Kaumātua (elders): Martin (Tenga) Hata; Helen Willis.

Tōputanga (organisation) Ray White.