Well done to Buddy Mikaere and all involved for organising the many events to commemorate the 150^th year since the Battle of Gate Pa. Tuesday, April 29, dawned on a cold, wet morning and then turned into a fine, sunny day.

Hundreds of people attended the blessing of the pou at the dawn service and thousands more joined in the afternoon Commemoration March, wero (challenge), service and ceremony. A Military Memorial Service was also held at the Mission Cemetery.

I'm impressed by the high standard and diversity of art on display at St George's Church at Gate Pa. Many of the entries are from local schools.

Last Saturday, replica battle guns were fired at the Tauranga Domain. People attending were given the opportunity to enter a raffle to light the mortars.

A remembrance service will be held at the battle site of Te Ranga on June 21, 2014. More information will be available in due course.