On Tuesday 14 June, the Year 11 History and Te Reo classes were fortunate to encounter reasonably fine weather for their annual Waikato Wars field trip. The invasion of the Waikato in 1863 was the start of 10 months of fighting between Maaori and a British government intent on crushing the Kiingtanga and gaining hold of fertile Waikato lands. The Waikato Wars were a key conflict in the history of Aotearoa, New Zealand and have had lasting effects on the people and the landscape. The impacts resulting from the invasion and confiscation of land caused catastrophic economic, social and cultural damage for Waikato Maaori, that is still being felt today.

We visited the significant sites of Taupiri Maunga, Te Wheoro’s Redoubt, Rangiriri urupā & pā, St Paul’s Church on Rangiāowhia Road, Ōrakau pā site, the Rewi Maniapoto Monument and the Alexandra Redoubt in Pirongia.

It was a great day; taking our learning outside the classroom to experience how the actions of people in the past have impacted people’s realities today and to show the students some of the historical sites that are accessible to them in the local area.

Thanks to Mrs Brown, Kōka, Mrs Coates and Ms Fitchett for bringing the stories (and the snacks lol!).