A New Era
Several different government agencies have been responsible for managing Ruapekapeka Pā and Battlefield over the years. The Department of Conservation (DOC) was created in 1987 and assumed responsibility for the reserve.
By this time, it had become obvious that the successful management of Ruapekapeka depended upon building a good relationship with iwi. The descendants of the warriors who defended the pā and of the original Māori land owners were asserting their right to have a say. Te Ruapekapeka Trust was formed in 1994 after a series of hui at local marae. A new partnership between the Crown and the hapu was forged.
The mahi to do at Ruapekapeka is not over, and it never will be. DOC and Te Ruapekapeka Trust are looking forward, finding new ways to protect and promote the site for future generations.