I spent last weekend up in Taranaki for Te Pūtake o Te Riri, the now annual commemoration of the New Zealand land wars that started in 1860.  It’s really hard to put the four days into words. The welcomes (there were three), dawn commemoration, historic site visits and farewell were all amazing in their own ways.

       

The pōwhiri was huge in every way

Yes, Jacinda was there!

Visiting Pukerangiora Pā

 Visiting Mahoetahi

The ahi kā at Te Kohia lit before dawn, literally keeping the home fire burning.