Maori historic site
Visit a significant defensive military redoubt and the site of the last major battle of the NZ Land Wars.
While Te Porere is not on the scale of Ruapekapeka Pa historic site every place adds to the history of Aotearora New Zealand. For visitors interested in the unique and indigenous culture of the Maori, check out Top 11 places to experience Maori heritage & culture in Aotearoa New Zealand …
Imagine the fort’s intricate hidden passageways designed by Maori visionary and warrior Te Kooti. There are information plaques describing the building techniques and facts about what happened. There are also fabulous views of Mount Tongariro as you absorb the events of over a century ago.
The last major battle of the New Zealand Wars was fought at Te Porere, in the shadow of Tongariro, on 4 October 1869. This was a defensive position styled ineptly on a European redoubt. Te Kooti was defeated by a combined force of Armed Constabulary and Māori fighters ‘from all points of the compass’. Although 37 of his followers were killed and he lost the middle fingers of his left hand, Te Kooti avoided capture.
New interpretation panels were unveiled at Te Pōrere in 2009 to commemorate the 140th anniversary of the battle. Source Te Pōrere redoubt | NZHistory, New Zealand history online.
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