During the first half of 1864 the focus of the New Zealand Wars shifted from Waikato to Tauranga. In this phase of the conflict British forces suffered a catastrophic defeat at Pukehinahina – better known as the Gate Pā – but later inflicted heavy losses on Māori forces at Te Ranga.
The Ngāi Te Rangi leader Rāwiri Puhirake had resisted Wiremu Tāmihana’s request for help during the war in Waikato for fear that this would lead to bloodshed in Tauranga. The arrival of British troops in his territory caused him to reconsider his neutrality.
Unlike at Gate Pā, where the British assault had been concentrated at two points, at Te Ranga the British were able to attack all along the line of trenches.
By the end of July the Tauranga war was over. Most Ngāi Te Rangi warriors accepted peace and handed over weapons, although many of these were old and of such poor quality as to be virtually worthless.
Mission Cemetery – also known as Military, or Old Military, Cemetery – is the oldest European burial ground in the Bay of Plenty city of Tauranga. It is thought to contain the remains of about 100 imperial and colonial troops and 14 Māori warriors who died while on active service in the Tauranga district during the New Zealand Wars.
This memorial commemorates 26 men of the 43rd Regiment who were killed in action or died of wounds received at Pukehinahina (Gate Pā) and Te Ranga in mid-1864.
This memorial marks the burial site of 14 men from Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Whakatōhea, Tainui and Te Arawa who died of wounds received while defending their position at Te Ranga on 21 June 1864
