Monmouth Redoubt Reserve is located at the northern end of The Strand in the city centre of Tauranga.
Monmouth Redoubt restoration
Work is underway to restore Monmouth Redoubt which includes structural reinforcements to the redoubt banks and improvements to access on site.
Find out more about restoration works
Significance to Tauranga
The Monmouth Redoubt Reserve, located near the northern end of The Strand, was previously the early Māori settlement of Taumatakahawai Pā. Archaeological work carried out opposite the reserve uncovered food storage pits and fire pits, and radiocarbon dating provided an occupation period as early as 1500 – 1680. In 1828 an attack by Hauraki iwi on Tauranga resulted in the sacking of settlements on the Te Papa peninsula, including Taumatakahawai and the nearby Otamataha Pā.
The Monmouth Redoubt was built in 1864 by British forces after arriving in Tauranga, with the task of blocking supplies being sent from Tauranga from local hapū and iwi in support of the Māori King’s forces in Waikato. The redoubt is linked to the Battle of Pukehinahina/Gate Pā in April 1864 and Battle of Te Ranga in June 1864. Both events are important not only in local history but also nationally as part of the New Zealand Land Wars.