A large kapa haka group of Waikato-Tainui welcomed hundreds of visitors to the historic battle grounds of Rangiriri Pa on Wednesday where British troops crushed Kingitanga forces 150 years ago.
Wednesday marks the sesquicentenary of the battle at Rangiriri Pa in Waikato when 1400 British troops defeated 500 Maori warriors of the Kingitanga movement who opposed colonial rule and European settlement.
On a fine Waikato afternoon, local iwi performed a mass haka in front of government representatives, the Defence Force and descendants of both iwi and colonial troops.
Waikato-Tainui says the day was about learning local history, reconciliation and how both Maori and Pakeha in the rohe (district) can move forward together.