At dawn today at the Towai junction leading to Te Ruapekapeka Pā, descendants of the tūpuna who once stood at Ruapekapeka, alongside hapū trustees representing Ngāti Manu, Ngāti Hau, Ngāti Hine and Te Kapotai, gathered to turn the soil and tuku karakia to mark the beginning of the installation of the State Highway 1 Wayfinder Pou.

Ruapekapeka is one of Aotearoa’s most significant battle sites. In 1846, Ngāpuhi leaders Te Ruki Kawiti and Hōne Heke led their people against Crown forces in the final northern campaign of the New Zealand Wars. The ingenuity of the pā design and earthworks has since been recognised worldwide as an example of Māori military strategy and resilience.

Phoebe Davis (Ngāti Manu) and Thelma Horne (Ngāti Hau) turned the soil this morning as Ned Peita and Shaquille Shortland offered karakia for the whenua and the pā.

Phoebe Davis said:

“This is not the beginning of the Wayfinder Pou kaupapa, but it is a significant milestone in its progress. As uri of those who stood in the battle of Ruapekapeka, we are proud to see this kaupapa moving forward.”

The Pou is being designed by Māori artist Arapeta Barber. Once unveiled, his artistic interpretation will connect the courage of the past with the hopes of today and tomorrow.

The Te Ruapekapeka Trustees wish to acknowledge and thank the Wallace whānau, whose whenua provides the standing place for the Pou. This kaupapa has been supported through the Provincial Growth Fund with Kānoa, MBIE, alongside partners Top Energy, Far North District Council, and Waka Kotahi NZTA.

The Pou will serve as both a physical wayfinder guiding manuhiri to Te Ruapekapeka and as a national reminder of the strength, mana, and vision of the tūpuna who stood there.

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