In 2015, select Otorohanga College students were among the hundreds who met at parliament to push for a day to remember the Land Wars (New Zealand's Civil War of the mid 1840s to early 1870s.) Among the Otorohanga College students was year 13 Leah Bell, who stated to Stuff, "We decided that it was our responsibility now to take action and be proactive about our history. We petitioned absolutely everywhere and we've ended up with almost 13,000 signatures. ...I guess we're also proud of New Zealand and of who we are – that we will pull together and support each other in this way."