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Riri me te Raukura commenced on the evening of Tuesday 16th March at the Waitara War Memorial Hall with a pōwhiri followed by kai. This was attended by no less than 150 including caterers and staff. Following dinner was a series of three speakers. Ruakere Hond spoke about the importance of hauora, healing, maungārongo and mahi māra. David Doorbar spoke about the perpetual injustices from the 1860s and the ramifications of the government’s continuous systematic processes and Sculpture Artist Brett Graham spoke about how past narratives related to war and conflict have shaped his artwork and how his work can be interpreted.
Early morning before sunrise of the 17th saw 120 people congregate Te Kōhia Pā, Brixton to participate and witness the fire ceremony in recognition of the first shots fired on Taranaki, at Te Kōhia on 17th March 1860. This ceremony was consecrated by mihi ki ngā mate, roll call of those who lost their lives during conflicts 1860-1861, karakia, mihimihi and waiata. At the conclusion of this, we gathered at the Waitara Military Cemetery where a churched based ceremony was conducted by Rev. Albie Martin and the Anglican Church. This ceremony acknowledges the non-Māori who died during that same period. This was followed by breakfast attended by those who attended the two ceremonies.
Midmorning saw 70 people participate in the pā site tour. The gathering visited Te Kōhia Pā, Ōnukukaitara, Puketekauare and Te Ārei (Pukerangiora) guided by Hōani Eriwata. Hōani used resources from Puke Ariki to assist his presentation about what happened at the mentioned pā and the personalities involved. Lunch was again had at the Waitara War Memorial Hall.
Early afternoon saw about 60 gather at Govett Brewster where they were treated with a guided walkthrough of Brett Graham’s exhibition Tai Moana, Tai Tangata. At the conclusion the gathering were seated in the cinema where a question and answer session took place between the audience and Brett.
Thursday 18th saw the gathering of 120+ attend the 18th at Parihaka. This was hosted at Te Paepae o Te Raukura where the 18th and the 19th was commemorated. The three houses, Te Paepae, Te Niho o Te Atiawa and Toroānui were all represented. This was the largest crowd that Parihaka has seen on the 18th post lockdown March last year. The gathering consisted of those who either attended all or part of the Riri me te Raukura such as schools, Tuia, school teachers, Tui Ora, kaumatua and kuia. Some of the manuhiri stayed at Parihaka that night where Riri me te Raukura was concluded.
