Local historians write Battle of Gate Pa book

Buddy Mikaere and Cliff Simons.

Dr Cliff Simons, a military historian, has joined forces with Buddy Mikaere to write a book about the Battle of Gate Pa which took place on April 29, 1864.

Of Ngati Pukenga and Ngati Ranginui descent, Buddy has been writing extensively on Maori history.

He recently spoke at the commemorative 60 Bells Service held at St George's Anglican Church on April 29 on how the Battle of Gate Pa has affected his own family.

'My chapters will be covering the lead-up to the battle,” says Buddy. 'Then I change over and follow the course of the Waikato Wars in one chapter. This gives the background to why the troops ended up in Tauranga, and why the battle took place.

'Cliff and I will be both be writing personal essays to include in the book. He'll be writing the chapters that cover the battle itself, and I'll write about the aftermath of it.”

The book, titled ‘Victory at Gate Pa?' will be published by New Holland Publishers and is due to be launched on October 28, coinciding with the national day of remembrance for the New Zealand Wars.

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