Recreating historic Waikato battle scene a 'spiritually encouraged' endeavour

Saturday, 23 April 2022

The recreated Rangiriri trenches opened on Saturday. Themed ‘I have risen from the base of the earth’, it celebrates the returning of the land and its people, with these trenches being the first of its kind in the country.

An almost decade-long vision to pay homage to the site of one of the bloodiest battles of the New Zealand Land Wars was finally realised on Saturday with the official opening of the Rangiriri trenches and pā site by the Māori king, Tūheitia Potatau Te Wherowhero VII.

For Brad Totorewa, the great-great-great-great grandson of the site’s original engineer’ and the man whose vision back in 2013 led to its re-establishment, it was an emotional day.

Talking to Stuff after the official opening, Totorewa said he was having to hold back his tears.

In 2013, at the 150-year commemoration of what was one of the bloodiest battles of the land wars, he had the vision to recreate what his tīpuna created all those years ago.

**READ MORE:

Brad Totorewa had the vision to recreate the site as a learning and visitor hub.

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Two-year-old Hireia Totorewa was among hundreds to attend the official opening of the site.

“A lot of this was spiritually encouraged. This has been a spiritual journey,” he said.

“Walking here and experiencing it, you feel the spirit and the essence of our people.”

Just an hour or so earlier, Totorewa had taken the King, Māori Development Minister Willie Jackson, Waiariki Māori Party MP Rawiri Waititi, Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson and a hundreds-strong stream of guests through the site.

Many shed tears as they walked through the trenches, Māori warriors also accompanying the large crowd.

Walking through the tranches their tipuna fought and died in more than 150-years ago was clearly a solemn and moving experience for many.

At one stage Totorewa addressed the crowd directly.

“What you’ve just witnessed is the lifting of a rahui after 150 years,” he said.

“Today the rāhui was lifted in the presence of our king.”

He said it would become an educational tool at a time of New Zealand’s new history curriculum, a visitor centre to provide an economic boost to the area and a tribute to those “who made the ultimate sacrifice back then”.

It was clear Totorewa sees huge potential in the site as a visitor hub.

Brad Totorewa, whose vision led to the recreation of the site, with the Māori king, Tūheitia Potatau Te Wherowhero VII.

“Go to Hobbiton and you won’t see a Hobbit. Come here, you’ll get 300 warriors.”

It is also clearly a symbol of a people’s survival, too.

“We come from a wellspring deep in the Earth, and we’re here today,” he said.

“We’re not supposed to be here today, but we’re here today.”

Jackson was equally clear about the significance of the day, describing himself as overwhelmed by the occasion.

“This is what Aotearoa needs to see,” he said.

“It’s not just about the trenches. It’s about history… this kaupapa for me means so much in terms of New Zealand history, as well as the economic benefits it brings to the area.

“It’s going to be a wonderful asset for Tainui and this area.”

The Rangiriri Historical & Cultural Heartland Project received $2.97 million from the Kānoa regional economic development unit to rebuild the battle trenches - the first phase of a larger project.

Kānoa has allocated $20 million to four projects to support the preservation and development of historic sites of national importance; Rangiriri Waikato, Ruapekapeka Pā and Ōhaeawai in Te Tai Tokerau, and Parihaka in Taranaki.

The Rangiriri opening, which is taking place over three days, is expected to see more than 1000 visitors.