Today was the first time that NZ remembered formally the NZ Wars. Rā Maumahara, 28th October, marks the day in 1835 when the Treaty of Independence of the United Tribes of New Zealand was signed.
We attended a small ceremony in Steele Park / Te Nihinihi. The 50 oak trees that surround the park were planted on the 26th of August 1889 by veterans of the 4th Waikato Regiment in celebration of the 25th anniversary of their occupation of Hamilton.
On Saturday, red ribbons with names of Māori who died, or were involved in the NZ Wars were tied around each tree.
