FAMOUS MAORI PA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 March 1939, Page 3

FAMOUS MAORI PA

MOVE FOR RECONSTRUCTION. RUAPEKAPEKA STRONGHOLD. One of the most important and dramatic incidents in the history of the early Maori Wars is brought to mind by the arrival in New Zealand of a model of the Ruapekapeka Pa, scene ' of the last stand of the notorious Maori chiefs, Hone Heke and Kawiti, at the Bay of Islands in January of 1846. The model, which is believed to be the only one in existence has been brought to Auckland by the director of the Auckland War Memorial Museum, MiGilbert Archey. A board known as the Ruapekapeka Scenic Reserve Board has been set up at Kawakawa for the purpose of having the old pa reinstated. One member of the board is Riri Mahi Kawiti, a grandson of the famous old chief, Kawiti, who had constructed the pa after other strongholds were proved vulnerable. A GRANT SOUGHT. The board has made application to the Crown Lands Department for a grant, and the department has replied that it is giving the matter consideration. The Crown Lands Department makes an annual grant at' present toward the maintenance of the pa, but it is the aim of the board to have the pa completely restored. The chairman of the board is Mr E. H. Blundell, of Kawakawa. If the necessary funds are made available, Kawiti has signified his willingness to place all his people at work on the reconstruction. Kawiti lives at Waiomio, which is only three miles away. He is the owner of the property that contains the Waiomio limestone caves. The Ruapekapeka Scenic Reserve Board is endeavouring also to acquire possession of these caves and have them placed under the board’s control. DECISIVE VICTORY. At Ruapekapeka Pa, the “Bat's Nest ” the northern Maori insurgents made their final stand. The submission of Hone Heke and Kawiti was finally brought about by Governor Grey, who took a share in the attack on the pa. The fall of Ruapekapeka occurred on January 11, 1846. The day being a Sunday, the Maoris did not expect an attack. The fort was rushed by Maori allies, followed by the British force Taken by surprise, Kawiti was forced to retreat. . This decisive victory convinced Heke and Kawiti of the futility of further resistance. Almost entirely without means of continuing the struggle, they sought peace. On a free pardon being granted the rebellion collapsed, and from then onward the northern Maoris were loyal subjects of the Crown.