Story: Memorials and monuments

Old adversaries meet at Ōrākau, 1914

Old adversaries meet at Ōrākau, 1914

James Adam Capper and Hekeria Te Rangi, who had fought on opposite sides at Ōrākau in 1864, meet in peace on the 50th anniversary of the battle. A memorial to the event, visible behind the two men, was unveiled on the occasion. Very few monuments to the New Zealand wars were put up in the 19th century. 50th anniversaries were one of the reasons a number of monuments to the wars were erected just before, and during, the First World War. Another reason was a desire to provide the younger generation with an example of service to the British Empire.

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How to cite this page:

Jock Phillips, 'Memorials and monuments - Memorials to the New Zealand wars', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/32526/old-adversaries-meet-at-orakau-1914 (accessed 28 March 2024)

Story by Jock Phillips, published 20 Jun 2012, updated 26 Mar 2015