He Hokinga Mahara - A Step back in time

Over the past year, we’ve connected more with New Zealand and got to know our own backyard a bit better. There’s no better way to do that than through visiting some of the country’s premier cultural heritage sites.

Here we share three stunning sites to visit. All combine great historic importance with beautiful walks and interpretation panels that tell the stories of these special places.

RUAPEKAPEKA PĀ

Ruapekapeka Pā is one of our country’s best-preserved battlefields and a highly significant site for the tangata whenua and for our country.

The battle fought there in 1845–46, so soon after the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, was remarkable for the military strategy of Te Ruki Kawiti. The Ruapekapeka defenders faced substantial odds against a British force and their Māori allies, including far less firepower and being outnumbered four to one.

The construction of the pā was an act of military genius. It was