Alice Brier and mum Bronwyn plant a pukio.
A golden sealed letter 27 years ago has helped Pirongia’s Alexandra East Redoubt become a preserved piece of history.
Pirongia School room 1 teacher Lauren Florence (back row, from left), Enviroschools Waikato facilitator Sara Taylor, Pirongia Enviro Group member Faith Haakma, Jess Archer, Bronwyn Brier and Waipā District Council biodiversity planner Olivia Adamson with students Joseph Cuttance, Lachie Archer, Thea Innis and Alice Brier. Photo: Jesse Wood
Built in about 1864 during the New Zealand Land Wars, the redoubt is one of many in the Pirongia area.
Te Awamutu News 24 July 2025
The historic reserve on Aubin Close, overlooking the Waipā River, is larger than the more well-known armed constabulary redoubt nearby.
There had once been about nine buildings on the site.
After a blessing on Friday morning by Nick Empson and Ngāti Apakura’s Tiaki Ormsby, Pirongia School students, parents and Pirongia Enviro Group members commenced planting on the escarpment.
Pirongia residents fought in 1998 to protect the land and save it from being sold by the Waipā District Council.
The management plan was written in 2002 and residents are ecstatic to see the planting planned then, taking place now.
Pirongia residents Brent Mealing (from left), Sue Mealing, Faith Haakma, Nick Empson, Jenny Hunt, Tiaki Ormsby and Marilyn Yeates are passionate about conservation. Photo: Jesse Wood
Enviroschools Waikato facilitator Sara Taylor said it was great to see the children outside and taking in interest in Pirongia’s history.
“Students spoke of their joy of playing with friends down the bank and how they will be able to look after the plants that they helped put in the ground,” Taylor said.
“The kura is committed to being kaitiaki of this public space. Teacher Lauren Florence is keen to bring the students back to release the plants and learn more about the native species they planted.
“Her students have been learning about Taiea te Taiao, the ecological corridor from Pirongia to Maungatautari, so they understand the significance of planting and trapping predators within the corridor.”
Pukio and mountain flax, grown and provided by the council, were planted on the slopes.
Holes were pre-prepared for Pirongia School students to plant. Photo: Jesse Wood
Pirongia Historic Centre volunteer Marilyn Yeates was a teacher at Te Awamutu Primary School in 1998.
Yeates and fellow teacher Jock Ellis had their students wrote petition letters to the conservation minister Nick Smith explaining why the land should be saved and preserved.
Smith responded with a golden sealed letter, leaving the petitioners in awe.
He promised to speak to the Waipā council and the site was saved as a reserve.
Nearly 30 years later, Pirongia School have taken the site onboard to preserve and look after for future generations.
Yeates was at the planting to see it come full circle.
“I’m thankful that they are appreciating what’s been saved and the history of the area,” Yeates said.
“For school children, that’s the best time to hone in and tell them our stories.
“We welcome Pirongia School students and Pirongia locals to come through the heritage centre. We have masses of history about our area here.”
The Alexandra East Redoubt is larger than the more well-known armed constabulary redoubt. Photo: Jesse Wood
The planting was another chapter for Taiea Te Taiao, the Maungatautari to Pirongia ecological corridor project.
Enviro group member Faith Haakma said there has also been other behind the scenes preparations.
“Since 2023, Predator Free Pirongia volunteers have been trapping in that area, despatching over 280 predators. Backyard trappers in Aubin Close have also despatched over 100 predators,” Haakma said.
“The dedication and ongoing hard work of these volunteers and backyard trappers is why the planting was possible.
“Without protection from pests, the plants and the fauna that visit them will not survive.”
Alice Brier and mum Bronwyn plant a pukio. Photo: Jesse Wood
