“Turuturu Mokai” is one of the oldest fortifications built by Maori in New Zealand and was fought over during the Taranaki Land Wars of the 1860s. Situated just outside the South Taranaki town of Hawera, it was once a former public reserve and popular playground. However, in recent years the Ngati Tupaia controlled reserve has fallen into disrepair and neglect.
Milt, an affiliate of Ngati Tupaia and Ngati Ruanui, began working at the reserve as a voluntary project manager in mid 2012; clearing rubbish, debris and overgrowth. Leading a team of local volunteers, the improvements have been remarkable- slowly but surely returning the historic pa site to it’s former glory- with neither help from local iwi, nor the South Taranaki District council.
* Cheers Rhian for the use of “Standing In Silence Pt 10” http://rhiansheehan.bandcamp.com/albu…
ferguscunningham.com 