Te Ara Wai Journeys

Stories silenced until now will finally be heard with the launch of Te Ara Wai Journeys, a unique self-guided tour of culturally significant sites in Waipā.

Te Ara Wai Journeys takes visitors on pathways through natural landscapes, battle sites and early settlements in Waipā that formed the community and helped shape New Zealand.

In total 169 stories have been shared, all bite sized, accessible to anyone, and available in English and Te Reo Māori.

They provide perspectives on the district’s foundational geological beginnings, its mix of peoples, their struggles, innovation and resilience, and the battles for sovereignty during the New Zealand Land Wars.

New Zealand Land Wars

The 28 October marks the annual observance of Rā Maumahara, the National Day of Commemoration for the New Zealand Land Wars. The national event marks the period of 1845 to 1872 – when armed conflict was rife in Waipā.

To commemorate we have put up flags around Waipā to increase awareness and recognition of this big historical event that took place in the Waipā district during the New Zealand Land Wars.

The flag was designed by a local artist. The four takarangi represent the four rivers that flow within the district: Waipā, Mangapiko, Waikato, and Pūniu. The takarangi pattern depicts a momentum of force that is forever moving, the bringing together of knowledge in its centre, flowing outwards disseminating that knowledge. The kape (seed pod) pattern is representative of generational connection to the whenua in this district and beyond.

The colour choice is also symbolic:

White – the spiritual connection Māori have with the whenua.
Red – loss of lives, the blood scorched land taken by colonists during and after the wars.
Black – te pouri, the mourning of lives lost, land lost as a direct impact of the Land Wars.

The flags will be up from 2 October to 30 October.

For more information visit www.tearawai.nz.

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Te Ara Wai Journeys