They were moved by hearing from descendants of people from the largely undefended village of Rangiaowhia, near Te Awamutu, which was attacked by British forces on February 21, 1864. Buildings were burned with people inside them.
Historian Vincent O'Malley, author of The Great War for New Zealand, Waikato 1800-2000, said Rangiaowhia was a refuge for women, children and the elderly.
"I argue in my book that the evidence that people were deliberately torched to death is clear and unambiguous."
Bell, now a university student, said the British forces broke the rules of engagement. It was "a horrendous story to hear and the grief was still very real with the people. We felt that, and witnessed it in a concentrated environment when hearing the stories from the descendants of the people of Rangiaowhia."
The wars were fought in Marlborough, Wellington, Northland, Taranaki, Waikato, Tauranga, Whanganui, and on the North Island's east coast and central plateau. It has been estimated that more than 3000 people died, but O'Malley believes the toll, although hard to calculate accurately, was probably higher.
His study of the Waikato War found the casualty rate per head of population was probably higher than New Zealand suffered in World War I, considered the country's "greatest bloodbath".
O'Malley said the New Zealand Wars re-shaped the country. After the mid-1860s the Treaty of Waitangi was "thrown out the window" for at least a century, there were huge changes in demographics and the ethnic power balance, and generations of Maori were condemned to landlessness and poverty.
Of the commemoration day, he said: "I think it's a big step in the maturing of our nation. It's a recognition that we need to acknowledge that these pretty difficult episodes from the past are a part of our nation's story."
The last Government set aside $4 million over four years to support regional New Zealand Wars commemoration events throughout the year and national events every October 28, including today's E Rima Challenge multisport event in Northland.
Otorohanga College English teacher and petition organiser Mariana Papa said the new Government would be lobbied to make the day a public holiday.