Wānanga leads second summit on NZ Wars

Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi will host the second Te Pūtake o te Riri Summit on Monday, March 11, and Tuesday, March 12, at its campus in Whakatāne. The summit is supported through the Te Pūtake o te Riri fund administered by Te Puni Kōkiri.

An inaugural symposium hosted by Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi in 2017 was a great success with a large audience listening to a wide array of expert speakers who discussed the New Zealand Wars that permanently changed the landscape of the country. The focus of the second summit is what took place on the battlefield, spokesperson Malcolm Mulholland said.

“We will have presentations about Māori weaponry, rongoa, rituals and flags, as well as discussions about why it is important to learn that part of the country’s history.”

Mr Mulholland said all local high school students in the Eastern Bay of Plenty region would be invited this year to attend.

“Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi recognises that future generations need to become familiar with our country’s past so that they can be better citizens tomorrow.”