Waerenga-a-Hika Commemorative Blanket 2025

In 2025, Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki marked the 160th anniversary of the siege of Waerenga-a-Hika (17-22 November 1865).

In 1865, 200 colonial troops with 300 Māori allies attacked the pā site where hundreds of Māori families lived. During the battle, which lasted five days, 71 Māori living at Waerenga-a-Hika pā and 11 government soldiers were killed.  126 men, 87 women and 60 children were illegally detained and imprisoned at Wharekauri/Chatham Islands, as a result of this battle.

To mark these reflections of history and time, Te Aitanga a Mahaki Iwi Trust, in collaboration with artist, activist, and story teller Tai Kerekere of Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Te Whanau a Kai, and Seattle Based indigenous owned life style brand, Eighth Generation, designed and produced a limited edition blanket throw, to share and tell a story of survival, resistance and mana motuhake.

Why did we choose a blanket? Blankets have shaped part of our history since European settlement, serving as currency and commodity of trade, exchange and control.  Referencing colonial forces, trading of blankets and muskets for land and resource, blankets were also wrapped around our tipuna that survived the battle. As prisoners of war, blankets were their source of warmth and clothing.

This blanket however brings to surface a history we were never taught, a history of suppression, but now becomes a symbol of empowerment, identity and pride of place. 

The horizontal and vertical lines symbolise the interweaving of our whakapapa and connection to the whenua. The tāniko design represent our tipuna who fought, died or were incarcerated as a result of this battle in 1865. The red symbolises those who died, and the grey references those who were taken, imprisoned without trial to Wharekauri, and forgotten.

The dark red and dark grey colours make reference to the scorched earth left behind as a result of the battle and bloodshed.

But, we do remember – Waerenga-a-Hika.

This commemorative blanket was a limited edition production run only. The blanket was sold out within two hours. There will not be another order.