Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

New highway, Battle of Rangiriri commemoration site opened

New highway and Battle of Rangiriri commemoration site opened

Crown/Māori Relations Minister Kelvin Davis joined representatives of Waikato-Tainui today to celebrate the completion of both the Rangiriri Section of the Waikato Expressway and the Battle of Rangiriri commemoration site.

This new 4.8km section of the Waikato Expressway opened to traffic earlier this year, but works have continued on both the roading project and on the site of the historic Rangiriri Paa. The paa site was significantly damaged by a 1965 upgrade to State Highway 1.

“The Rangiriri project is far more than roading infrastructure. The project is a symbol of the Crown’s dedication to partnering with tangata whenua and righting past wrongs,” Mr Davis says.

“Thanks to our partners on this project, Waikato-Tainui, we have been able to deliver a section of expressway that will provide safer, more efficient journeys. More than this, the project provides a monument to the cultural and historical importance of Rangiriri.”

The site of the 1863 Battle of Rangiriri is of particular cultural and historic importance for Waikato-Tainui, and is now home to a scaled reinterpretation of the original fortified paa. The site has been developed with a focus on education, with large pou (carved posts) telling the story of the area and marking the battle trench down to the Waikato River. The Waikato Expressway project has taken the road closer to the river.

Waikato-Tainui spokesperson Rukumoana Schaafhausen says the iwi has worked closely with the Transport Agency to preserve the cultural and historical significance of Rangiriri site.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“Rangiriri will be a significant site in New Zealand for continuing education about the battle and the Land Wars. It will also be a place for contemplation not only for our iwi but for all New Zealanders.”

“The roading and paa projects together are an important symbol of the successful partnership between the Crown and Waikato-Tainui, realising a vision of the past while building for the future.”

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.