Huirangi / No. 3 Redoubt Cross (c1910/1941)

The Huirangi / No. 3 Redoubt Cross was originally erected in wood on Waitara Road by William Henry Skinner between 1909-11 to mark the grave of more 40-50 Māori from Waikato and Taranaki (Ngāti Hauā, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Mahuta and Te Ātiawa).

They were killed making an audacious dawn attack on No. 3 redoubt (Pratt’s sap) on 23 January 1861. The battle lasted over an hour, with many of the casualties resulting from vicious fighting in a trench. The redoubt was held by the 40th Regiment, which lost six men in the action with 11 wounded.

The site was fenced by the Scenery Preservation Society in August 1906 and the wooden memorial cross was replaced by this concrete one in 1941.

Part of the original totara cross is held in the collection of Puke Ariki Museum.

Inscription on upper marble block set in concrete:

He Tohu Wahakamaharatanga Mo Nga Iwi / Nei Mo Ngati-Haua, Ngati-Raukawa, Ngati-Maniapoto, / Ngati Mahuta, Me Ngati-Awa. / I Hinga I Konei I Te 23 Hanuere 1861.

Translation:

This cross commemorates a number of Maori from these tribes: Ngati-Haua, Ngati-Raukawa, Ngati Maniapoto, Ngati Mahuta, and Ngati-Awa who fell here on the 23rd January 1861.

Inscription on small marble plaque:

Erected / By / The N.Z. Govt

Inscription on lower later bronze plaque:

This cross was erected by / N.Z. Government in memory of / Members of the following tribes / Who were killed in the assault on / No 3 redoubt on 23 January 1861 / Ngati Haua / Ngati Raukawa / Ngati Maniapoto / Ngati Mahuta / Ngati Awa.

Five soldiers were killed and one died of wounds during the action at No. 3 Redoubt - all are buried in the churchyard of St Mary's in New Plymouth (now Taranaki Cathedral):

Lieutenant Denis Jackson, Private William Gilbert and Private Edward Gorray from the 40th Regiment, Private Edward Archer from the 12th Regiment, Corporal James Howard from the 65th Regiment and Sapper George Chubb from the Royal Engineers.