British soldiers acknowledged at Ruapekapeka commemoration

From Checkpoint, 5:55 pm on 3 February 2021

175 years on from the battle of Ruapekapeka, hapū in the Far North have acknowledged the British men killed in the conflict, despite suffering losses of their own.

A memorial honouring 12 soldiers, whose graves were unearthed four years ago, was unveiled at a remembrance ceremony today attended by the Prime Minister.

The Battle of Ruapekapeka was one of the first major conflicts between the Crown and Māori following the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Te Aniwa Hurihanganui and video journalist Sam Rillstone filed this report.