Gate Pa hill hosts haka of hundreds

Battle of Gate Pa Ceremonies. The Maori King Tuheitia Paki is welcomed on to Gate Pa.

Gate Pa hill has this afternoon virtually been transported to a time 150 years ago when Maori warriors and British soldiers clashed in what was to become a historic event to form the creation of Tauranga city.

Hundreds of Maori dressed in traditional gear and handling weapons of the time have come together to perform a powerful haka, in commemoration of the Battle of Gate Pa which happened on the same hill all those years ago.

A reporter at the scene said Gate Pa hill was absolutely covered with Maori warriors.

People were crowding in wherever they could with cameras and phones to film the haka, which has lasted about 20 minutes, she said.

New Zealand Covernor General and Lieutenant General Sir Jeremiah "Jerry" Mateparae is greeted by Maori warriors at this afternoon's Battle of Gate Pa haka.

Maori flags of the day fly in the background as part of the event, one of the series marking the 150 years including dawn blessings of pou this morning and a service honouring the dead this afternoon.

Click here for your guide to Battle of Gate Pa events.