Today marks 139 years since the invasion of Parihaka.
Placards about Parihaka on display in Albert Park. Photo: RNZ / Ella Stewart
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In 1881 more than 1,500 colonial troops invaded the village of Parihaka near the Taranaki coast as tangata whenua led by Te Whiti-o-Rongomai and Tohu Kākahi sat peacefully on the marae. Buildings were destroyed and the Māori gathered there were forcibly expelled.
Nineteen-year-old Lourdes Vano, who recently ran as the Green Party MP in Manurewa, spent Thursday commemorating the historic event.
"This morning I came with nine placards explaining what happened in Parihaka 139 years ago, unfortunately the weather sort of pushed me away," she told Checkpoint.
The placards were displayed in Auckland's Albert Park next to the statue of former prime minister and colonial figure George Grey.
"We probably should still be educated on what has actually happened, especially in our own country. So this was sort of my way to raise awareness on such a monumental day."
Vano believes there is a gap in our education system when it comes to learning about New Zealand history, specifically events like Parihaka.
Armed Constabulary units at Parihaka, 1881 Photo: Alexander Turnbull Library, Parihaka Album Reference: PA1-q-183-19
"So I thought I don't really want any more people coming through without knowing what's going on, especially Māori people"
Rachel Buchanan, historian and uri [descendant] of Taranaki, admires Lourdes' statement, saying the placards continue the tradition of radical responses to injustice.
"When I look at those placards I just see a really great example of someone taking today, which is obviously the 139th anniversary of the invasion of Parihaka, and using this day to make a statement of colonisation in general."
Buchanan says Parihaka is an example of the fraught history in the founding of New Zealand. She said it may seem like a long time ago, but it does not feel like it to iwi and hapū in Taranaki.
"When I think about my great grandmother, who I knew, she was raised by a man named Charles Wallace, and Charles was involved at Parihaka as a translator. So I don't see that as a distant history."
Buchanan agrees more education is needed.
New Zealand history is set to be made compulsory in schools from 2022.