As an Anglican and a Maori, I am disappointed in the Anglican Church of Howick as I have spoken to at least three vicars over the years about the brass memorial plaque in the entrance way to the church grounds that remembers the soldiers who served Queen and Country in the Maori Land Wars.
Firstly, they were not the Maori Land Wars but New Zealand Land Wars and, to be really honest, they were the British Land Wars and there should be another plaque correcting this mistake.
Secondly, should we be celebrating these soldiers at all as it does not mention that the Moari were fighting for their land and way of life that was being invaded by these soldiers who were promised land in return.
Thirdly, the vicars I have spoken to recognise that this needs to be rectified but seem unable to do anything about it.
I recognise that to some people this seems irrelevant or rewriting history but as the history board on Owairoa (Stockade Hill) states, there was no fighting in the area and [local iwi] Ngai Tai ki Tamaki flew British flags and were instructed not to fight against the British but there is absolutely no mention of this in the memorial plaque.
All I ask it that another brass plaque be added correcting this misinformation and the wrong doings of the past.
As an Anglican and a Maori, I am disappointed in the Anglican Church of Howick as I have spoken to at least three vicars over the years about the brass memorial plaque in the entrance way to the church grounds that remembers the soldiers who served Queen and Country in the Maori Land Wars.
Firstly, they were not the Maori Land Wars but New Zealand Land Wars and, to be really honest, they were the British Land Wars and there should be another plaque correcting this mistake.
Secondly, should we be celebrating these soldiers at all as it does not mention that the Moari were fighting for their land and way of life that was being invaded by these soldiers who were promised land in return.
Thirdly, the vicars I have spoken to recognise that this needs to be rectified but seem unable to do anything about it.
I recognise that to some people this seems irrelevant or rewriting history but as the history board on Owairoa (Stockade Hill) states, there was no fighting in the area and [local iwi] Ngai Tai ki Tamaki flew British flags and were instructed not to fight against the British but there is absolutely no mention of this in the memorial plaque.
All I ask it that another brass plaque be added correcting this misinformation and the wrong doings of the past.
Terry Behersing, Bucklands Beach
