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<p><strong>Lt Webb sends greeting to members of the Maori Battalion from the South Island.&nbsp; </strong></p><h2><strong>Transcript</strong></h2><p><strong>MC:&nbsp; </strong>Lt Webb, representing of, sending greetings to members from the South Island.</p><p><strong>Lt Webb:&nbsp; </strong>Greetings South Island, Pitamas, Matthew, West send you greetings form the South Isand and hoping in the near future we’ll be able to join you and once more renew old acquaintances.&nbsp;&nbsp; Tena koutou, tena koutou</p><p><strong><br /></strong></p>

<p><strong>Sound file</strong> from Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, ref: <a href="https://www.ngataonga.org.nz/collections/catalogue/catalogue-item?recor…;. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright.</p>

<p><strong><em>Putiputi kanehana </em>by the reknowned Ngati Porou songwriter Tuini Ngawai is performed here by Reinforcements of the Maori Battalion.&nbsp; This recording was part of a broadcast where messages and items were performed for members of the Maori Battalion serving overseas.</strong></p><h2><strong>Transcript<br /></strong></h2><p><strong>MC:&nbsp; </strong>The Reinforcements will now sing <em>He Putiputi</em></p><p><strong>Reinforcements sing:</strong><br />Putiputi kanehana e<br />Maku koe e kato e<br />Mehemea ko koe<br />Taku tau pumau<br />Piri rawa i tenei uma e</p>

<p><strong>Sound file</strong> from Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, ref: <a href="https://www.ngataonga.org.nz/collections/catalogue/catalogue-item?recor…;. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright.</p>

<p><strong><em></em>Te Puea sends greetings to the Maori Battalion during a radio broadcast.</strong></p><h2><strong>Transcript</strong></h2><p><strong>MC:&nbsp; </strong>Princess Te Puea will now send greetings to the members of the Maori Battalion.</p><p><strong>Te Puea: </strong>&nbsp;Nga uri o nga tangata o runga i nga waka - i a Te Arawa, i a Mataatua, i a Horouta, i a Takitimu, i a Kurahaupo, i a Aotea, Tokomaru, Tainui, Ngatokimatawhaorua – tena koutou.&nbsp; Tena koutou e noho mai nei te aroaro o to tatou kingi.&nbsp; Te aroaro o te pakanga.&nbsp; Kei te mihi atu kia koutou i to koutou maia.&nbsp; Te whanau - tena koutou e mihi mai nei ki ahau, e mihi mai nei kia Koroki, e mihi mai nei kia Waikato.&nbsp; Noho mai te aroaro o to tatou kingi. Ma te atua koutou, tupuna koutou e manaaki, e whakahoki mai ki Niu Tireni nei.&nbsp; Tena koutou katoa.</p><p><strong><br /></strong></p>

<p><strong>Sound file</strong> from Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, ref: <a href="https://www.ngataonga.org.nz/collections/catalogue/catalogue-item?recor…;. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright.</p><p><strong>Image:&nbsp;</strong>Princess Te Kirihaehae Te Puea Herangi. Original photographic prints and postcards from file print collection, Box 2. Ref: PAColl-5584-58. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand.&nbsp;<a href="http://natlib.govt.nz/records/23249698">http://natlib.govt.nz/records/2…;

<p><strong>The Reverend Mutu Kapa <acronym title="Member of the British Empire">(MBE)</acronym> sends greetings to the Maori Battalion overseas.&nbsp; &nbsp;</strong></p><p><strong>Kapa was an esteemed leader within his Te Aupouri and Waikato tribes and was well versed in the his tribal traditions.&nbsp; Kapa was encouraged by his great-grandfather to train as an Anglican priest – he was ordained a deacon in 1907 and priest in 1911. <a name="ftnref1"></a>[<a href="#ftn1">1</a>]</strong></p><p><strong><br /></strong></p><h4><strong>Footnote</strong></h4><p>[<a href="#ftnref1">1</a>]&nbsp; Manuka Henare. 'Kapa, Mutu Paratene', from the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 30-Oct-2012<br />URL:&nbsp;<a href="https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/4k2/kapa-mutu-paratene&quot; target="_blank">https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/4k2/kapa-mutu-paratene</a></p&gt;

<p><strong>Sound file</strong> from Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, ref: <a href="https://www.ngataonga.org.nz/collections/catalogue/catalogue-item?recor…;. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright.</p>

<p><strong>Reinforcements of the Maori Battalion sing <em>E rua nei aku ringa </em>during a broadcast for their comrades oversesas.</strong></p>

<p><strong>Sound file</strong> from Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, ref: <a href="https://www.ngataonga.org.nz/collections/catalogue/catalogue-item?recor…;. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright.</p>

<p><strong>Reinforcements of the Maori Battalion in New Zealand sing <em>There will always be an England </em>during a broadcast.</strong></p>

<p><strong>Sound file</strong> from Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, ref: <a href="https://www.ngataonga.org.nz/collections/catalogue/catalogue-item?recor…;. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright.</p>

<p><strong>Major Wales sends greetings to Colonel Dittmer and the Maori Battalion, he was in charge of training.</strong></p><h2><strong>Transcript</strong></h2><p><strong>MC:&nbsp; </strong>Major Wales will now send greetings to Lieutenant Colonel Dittmer, the officers and men of the Maori Battalion.&nbsp; Major Wales is in charge of the training of the Battalion and also the Reinforcements in Papakura.&nbsp;</p><p><strong><strong>Major Wales:&nbsp; </strong></strong>Colonel Dittmer, officers, NCOs and men of the 28th Maori Battalion.&nbsp; Tena koutou, tena koutou.&nbsp; We here in New Zealand training the reinforcements send you greetings and we tell you that the boys who are coming forward to reinforce your Battalion are some of the finest of the young men of New Zealand today. &nbsp;&nbsp;They are men of whom you will proud and we say it with pride that they are men who are worthy to represent the Maori race with its wonderful fighting tradition.&nbsp; Tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora.<strong> <br /></strong></p>

<p><strong>Sound file</strong> from Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, ref: <a href="https://www.ngataonga.org.nz/collections/catalogue/catalogue-item?recor…;. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright.</p>

<p><strong>This waiata tangi (lament) is sung by members of Te Whakatohea for their relatives who had died in the war.&nbsp;&nbsp; It was recorded at the opening of the Tama te Kapua meeting house at Rotorua in 1943.<br /></strong></p><h2><strong>Transcript<br /></strong></h2><p><strong>Sir Apirana Ngata:&nbsp; </strong>Amongst the tribes assembled at the opening of the Tama te Kapua meeting in March of 1943, was the Whakatohea tribe of Opotiki.&nbsp; They also had in their time a great reputation as masters of many aspects of Maori culture, including the chanting of the old songs.&nbsp;&nbsp; This is an adaptation of an old song commencing <em>E muri ahiahi</em> adapted by them and sung as a lament for the men from their district of the Maori Battalion who had died in service overseas.&nbsp; They were led by Te Hapua Apanui of Opape near Opotiki.</p><p><strong>Te Hapua Apanui:</strong>&nbsp; He waiata tangi na Te Whakatohea mo nga tamariki kei te pae o te pakanga</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Sound file</strong> from Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, ref: <a href="https://www.ngataonga.org.nz/collections/catalogue/catalogue-item?recor…;. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright.</p>

<p><strong>Te Tohara (Charlie) Mohi grew up in Pakipaki.&nbsp; He embarked for war in 1941 and served with the Maori Bren-carrier platoon.&nbsp; <br /></strong></p><p><strong>In this recording Charlie talks about why he signed up for war and his concerns about leaving his mother and siblings at home.</strong></p><p><strong>Charlie returned on furlough in 1945, see the photo <a href="/node/22923">here</a>.<br /></strong></p><h2><strong>Transcript<br /></strong></h2><p><strong>Pou Temara (interviewer):</strong>&nbsp; He aha to nama, me to, tuatahi ko to ingoa, ko to nama, me to rank, ia koe i te, i te whawhai?</p><p><strong>Te Tohara Mohi:&nbsp;</strong>Taku ingoa ko Te Tohara Mohi.&nbsp; Te nama, taku nama ko te ono tekau ma rima mano, e rima rau, tekau ma tahi, tekau ma waru.&nbsp; A, taku turanga i roto i nga hoia, he heihana.&nbsp; Engari he heihana a ka hoki ano ki te hoia, ka heihana, ka hoki ano ki te hoia, i roto i nga mahi porangi a te hoia.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Pou Temara:&nbsp; </strong>Tena, e hia o tau ia koe ka whakawhiti koe ki te pakanga?</p><p>E rua tekau ma tahi oku tau, taku haere.&nbsp; Engari I taku hainatanga, ki te, ki roto i te, i nga mahi a te pakanga, tekau ma waru aku tau.&nbsp; I roto au i nga mahi a nga, e kii nei, ko nga Territorials.&nbsp; Ko matou i Heretaunga, ko matou te roopu tuatahi o the Vickers Machine Gun o Niu Tireni nei.&nbsp; Kare hoki te Maori e mahi ana i tera mahi i aua wa.&nbsp; Engari na matou te tuatahi o taua mahi.&nbsp; Engari te putamaitanga o te whawhai tuturu a i mea mai i a Trentham nei matou, i roto i te camp i reira. &nbsp;E noho ana matou i reira, a, &nbsp;ka timata te whawhai.&nbsp; A ka mauri atu te iwi, te First Echelon, e korerotia nei ko te First Echelon.&nbsp; Ka haere ratou ka hoki matou i te kainga. &nbsp;&nbsp;I puta mai matou i te Territorials, haina tonu atu matou, nga tamariki, nga mea pakeke katoa o to matou kainga o te Pakipaki i haina katoa i roto te, kia haere matou ki tera taha.&nbsp;</p><p>Engari te taenga mai ki te wa o matou ingoa whiriwhiritia, ka pana maingia au ki waho, he tamariki rawa, a, ahua nui tonu matou.&nbsp; Engari nga mea o matou i uru atu, ko Bully ma – te papa o tenei, ahua nui tonu nga mea o te kainga i haere, a me taku tuakana.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Pou Temara:&nbsp; </strong>Tena, he aha te tau i haina ai koutou ki te haere ki te pakanga.</p><p><strong>Te Tohara Mohi:&nbsp; </strong>I te timatanga tonu o te pakanga i te toru tekau ma iwa.</p><p><strong>Pou Temara:&nbsp; </strong>He aha te tau i whakawhiti ai koe?</p><p><strong>Te Tohara Mohi:&nbsp; </strong>A, i te wha tekau ma tahi.</p><p><strong>Pou Temara:&nbsp; </strong>Tena, he aha ou koutou whakaaro, ou whakaaro, ia koe ka haere koe ki te haina.&nbsp; He aha ou whakaaro – kei te haere hoki, kua tu te pakanga, kua haere koe ki te haina, kia haere koe ki te pakanga. &nbsp;I uru mai ano he whakaaro patu tangata ki roto ia koe, e haere ana hoki te patu tangata kare ranei koe e hoki mai, e hoki ora mai ki te kainga ekene koe ka mate atu?</p><p><strong>Te Tohara Mohi:&nbsp; </strong>E kare rawa tena whakaaro i puta mai.&nbsp; Ko te mea i puta mai i roto oku whakaaro – e rua aku papa i haere.&nbsp; I uru aku papa i haere ki te whawhai tuatahi.&nbsp; I ta ratou haeretanga, ko te hokimaitanga ko nga korero mo nga wahine, mo nga takaro, mo nga mahi, mo nga mahi pai.&nbsp; Kare e korero mo nga mahi kino o te whawhai.&nbsp; No reira, i taku haina, i taku hainatanga kare ke nga whakaaro haere atu mo te mate ranei, te aha ranei.&nbsp; Hey, hei haere te kite whenua, haere te kite i nga mea i korerotia mai nei e to matou papa kia matou. Koira noa iho.&nbsp;</p><p>Engari no te taenga ki reira, well, no te wehenga atu, kua ahua roa matou i Niu Tireni nei e whakapakari ana i o matou tinana, ka haere, kua tae ki te wa e haere ki tera taha, a, ka puta mai nga whakaaro i taua wa. &nbsp;&nbsp;Ko wai hoki e manaaki te koka?&nbsp; Ko wai e tiaki i a ia?&nbsp; Ko to matou koka he pouwaru.&nbsp; A, i korero maua ko taku tuakana, ko ia i haere te mea tuatahi, i te roopu tuatahi.&nbsp; Ka korero mai ia kia au, “noho ai te kainga, te manaaki i to taua koka.”&nbsp; &nbsp;Well, i te taenga kia au kia haere, korero atu au ki taku, ki to maua teina – tekau ma ono noa iho nga tau o te poi nei, i te kura tonu i Te Aute.&nbsp; Ka haere maua, korero atu maua ki a ia – “manaakitia to taua koka, to tatou koka”.&nbsp; A, koira nga korero.&nbsp; <br /> <br />Engari te haeretanga, e hoa, haere atu to matou waka, to matou tima i konei, i Poneke nei, puta atu i te whenua, puta atu ki te moananui, ka huri mai nga whakaaro ki te kainga.&nbsp; Ka titiro mai, ahua pouri haere ana matou, titiro atu ai - kei te hoki mai ano tenei Maori, kare ranei?&nbsp;&nbsp; Kua puta mai te aroha ki te kainga i taua wa.&nbsp; Engari mo tera, aye, kei te haere ke matou mo te mahi pai, te ataahua o te whenua e titirotia nei e matou.&nbsp; Na runga i era korero katahi ano ka whakaaro, aye, he mahi tika tonu te mahi nei.&nbsp; Ka wehe atu akuni pea kare e hoki mai. Ka hoki waku whakaaro ki taku koka i taua wa.&nbsp; Ma wai hoki e manaaki, kei te tamariki hoki toku teina, kei te kura tonu.&nbsp; And, oh well, ko nga whakaaro ano me nga inoi ki te Runga Rawa kia whakahokia mai i te kainga i nga wa e hoki mai ai.&nbsp; Ko tera noa iho nga whakaaro i roto i au i taua wa.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Sound file</strong> from Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, ref: <a href="https://www.ngataonga.org.nz/collections/catalogue/catalogue-item?recor…;. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright.</p><p><strong>Image<br /></strong>Crop of <a href="/node/3856" target="_blank">full photo</a> -&nbsp; Bren-carrier platoon leads the Maori Battalion into Tripoli, 23 January 1943.&nbsp; Sgt Te Whiu Purei (standing) and Charlie Mohi, seated.</p>

<p><strong>Te Tohara (Charlie) Mohi grew up in Pakipaki.&nbsp; He embarked for war in 1941 and served with the Maori Bren-carrier platoon.&nbsp; </strong><strong>Charlie returned on furlough in 1945, see the photo <a href="http://www.28maoribattalion.org.nz/node/22923">here</a>.</strong></p><p… was a training officer as well.&nbsp; In this recording he discusses disciplinary action applied to a soldier for shooting birds.<br /></strong></p><h2><strong>Transcript</strong></h2><p><strong>Te Tohara Mohi:&nbsp; </strong>I tetahi rangi e tae mai a matou mahi i taua wa nei hei ako e nga hoia e haere mai ana i te wa kainga.&nbsp; Ka tae mai tetahi ope, etahi o matou, tino hoa tonu no matou, whanaunga no matou.&nbsp; A matou mahi tuatahi i te korero atu ki a ratou nga ture hei whakahaere ana i to matou, o to matou iwi a matou mahi i reira i roto i tera motu ne.&nbsp; I tetahi, oh, i te mea tuatahi ko wētahi nga mea korero tuatahi, “Kaua e mahia e nga manu, kauaka e pupuhihia, no te mea he tapu hoki era mea ki te iwi o tera kainga.&nbsp; Katahi tonu ka mutu atu te korero atu ki tetahi o matou ka puta atu tenei ki waho te rongotanga atu ‘pou’ – ana!&nbsp; Ao ana te hunga i waho, e, e takoto mai ana te manu e tu tonu ana te tangata me tana pu.&nbsp; Korero atu au ki a ia, “E hoa, kei te mohio toku kaua e pupuhi nga manu nei”.&nbsp; Ka kata.&nbsp; Ka karanga mai te apiha “A, maungia atu”.&nbsp; Hoatu atu tana kai.&nbsp; Ka korero atu au ki taua hoia nei, “Haere, kuhungia o kakahu mo te makariri, me to peke, me to pu, me to koti.”&nbsp; Timata au i te whakahaere i te, i nga mahi o te tangata nei i runga i te, to matou wahi takaro.&nbsp; Mahingia mo te haora, me te haora, me te tahi me te haora tahi - kotahi me te half haora.&nbsp; E mahi ana au i taua tangata nei.&nbsp; Kua puta mai ke nga roimata i te, i ana kanohi, tona ngenge, tona mamae. &nbsp;A, ka whakahaere au a kua mohio pea ana ka aha ke te mahi, kauaka, e kauakahia nga manu nei. &nbsp;</p><p>E hoa, kare ano e rua wiki kua rongo ano matou te pu e pahupahu ana.&nbsp; Puta atu, ko taua tangata ano me te manu e takoto ana.&nbsp; Ka karanga mai to matou apiha “Taihoa, maku e mahi tenei”.&nbsp; A, ka kakahungia ana kakahu taumaha, whakakiingia tana peke i te kirikiri.&nbsp; A, ka timata te whakaomaoma haere.&nbsp; E rua haora pea e omaoma haere a kua ngenge atu [te] tangata nei.&nbsp; Kare ano e taea te hapai i ana waewae. &nbsp;Kua timata hoki te tangi, ka hinga, a haere atu te apiha ka kiki atu te tau.&nbsp; Kia tu, a, ka haere ano, kua ahua whakaaro pea te apiha ra koia tona, tona hara.&nbsp; Ka tuku atu, kia hoki ki roto tana teneti.&nbsp; Te hokitanga atu te tangata ki roto ki tana teneti, ei, hemo tonu atu.&nbsp; Ka haere atu au te toro, ki te tiro atu kei te pehea - ka karanga atu au, eh kua hemo ke te tangata e. &nbsp;Ka haere au ki te tiki wai, ka mahia, a ka ora mai.&nbsp; A, kei te tangi tonu me tona karanga, kare ia e pupuhi i aua manu ano.&nbsp; Ko enei aua mea e mohiotia nei e matou...</p><p><strong><br /></strong></p>

<p><strong>Sound file</strong> from Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, ref: <a href="https://www.ngataonga.org.nz/collections/catalogue/catalogue-item?recor…;. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright.</p><p><strong>Image<br /></strong>Crop of <a href="http://www.28maoribattalion.org.nz/node/3856&quot; target="_blank">full photo</a> -&nbsp; Bren-carrier platoon leads the Maori Battalion into Tripoli, 23 January 1943.&nbsp; Sgt Te Whiu Purei (standing) and Charlie Mohi, seated.</p>

<p><strong>The Ngarimu Victoria Cross Investiture Meeting and Reception to His Excellency the Governor General, 6 October 1943.&nbsp; Governor General Cyril Newall addresses the gathering at the investiture ceremony.&nbsp; He reads the citation for the award and presents the VC to Hamuera Ngarimu.</strong></p><p class="maintext"><strong>On 4 June 1943 news was broadcast world-wide that 2/Lt Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu had been awarded the Victoria Cross for his role in the attack on Point 209 at Tebaga Gap, Tunisia. It was the sixth VC to be awarded to a New Zealander in the war, and the first to a Maori soldier.</strong></p><p class="maintext"><strong>The public investiture ceremony where the Governor-General presented the award to Mr &amp; Mrs Hamuera Ngarimu was held at Whakarua Park in Ruatoria, Ngarimu’s home town. At the time it was one of the largest and most fully documented Māori gatherings ever held.<a href="#ftn1">[1]</a><a name="ftnref1"></a>&nbsp; Despite the rain and mud, 7000 people attended the event, including the Prime Minister and other parliamentarians, Battalion members on furlough, Home Guardsmen and 1300 schoolchildren, who came from all parts of the country. Three hundred performers had been brought together from the Gisborne district alone. Te Whānau-ā-Apanui and Ngāti Porou, led by Sir Apirana Ngata hosted the event that featured five hours of entertainment.&nbsp; Members of the National Film Unit, the official Government photographer -&nbsp;John Pascoe, and the press documented the event. Cameramen from the US Marine Corps also headed to Ruatoria to record the event.&nbsp; Read more about the event <a href="/node/3990#Ngarimu">here</a>.</strong></p><div><strong>There were <a href="https://www.nzhistory.govt.nz/files/documents/28mb/ngarimu-investiture-… booklets</a> printed for the occassion: </strong></div><div><strong>1) <em>Souvenir of the Ngarimu Victoria Cross Investiture Meeting</em> (NSP)</strong></div><div><strong>2) <em>Supplement to the Souvenir Programme</em> (SSP)</strong></div><div>&nbsp;</div><h2>Transcript</h2><p>My Lord Bishop, Mr Prime Minister, and all Maori assembled people. I am very proud to be here to present, on behalf of His Majesty, before this mighty gathering, to Mr Hamuera Ngarimu the Victoria Cross awarded by the King to his son 2/Lt Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu and to invest other members of the Maori Battalion with certain orders and decorations which His Majesty has awarded them for their courage and devotion.</p><p>It is fitting that we should at this moment consider the debt which we all owe to the Maori Battalion. By their deeds of valour they have won for themselves a place in the history of war for centuries to come they will be remembered with gratitude and praise by free men and women throughout the world. Maori tradition is full of stories of the courage of your forefathers. Your own sons and brothers have shown that they have inherited that courage to the full. They have, moreover, given incontestable proof of the unity of the British Empire. When one considers that little over one hundred years ago, one hundred years after the British came to New Zealand the Maori people have sent from the opposite ends of the world the flower of their youth to fight for their King and country, one then realises how living a thing is Maori loyalty and how real is the friendship of the Maori with the Pakeha.</p><p>Some of them will never return to their native land. It fell to their lot to pay the greatest sacrifice of all. They have joined their warrior ancestors in Hawaiki. To those who mourn for them we must offer our grateful sympathy and pledge ourselves that their sacrifice shall not have been made in vain. Among these is 2/Lt Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu to whom the King has awarded the highest decoration for valour that the British Empire knows.&nbsp; In making this award the King not only honours Ngarimu himself, but through him, his Battalion and his country.</p><p>No words of mine can adequately express my admiration for his courage or my grief for the loss which his family has suffered. But these words of comfort I would offer. They are very old, they were written many, many centuries ago and they will remain true until the end of all time.</p><p><em>"They truly live who yield their lives fighting against the foe in the fierce battle amidst the flash of swords and the whirling of the spear.</em></p><p><em>Men of ancient race that were foremost in the fight wielding their swords who stood in the melee as some mountain top rises above the flood.</em></p><p><em>What wonder if their glory liveth when all dissemblers have passed away." [<a href="#ftn2">2</a>]<a name="ftnref2"></a><br /></em></p><p>And now, before I present the Victoria Cross to Mr Ngarimu, I would like just to read to you the official citation which describes this magnificent courage of his son.</p><p>Second Lieutenant Ngarimu commanded a platoon in an attack upon the vital hill feature, Point 209. He was given the task of attacking and capturing an under-feature point forward of Point 209 itself which was held in considerable strength by the enemy. He led his men with great dash and determination straight up the face of the hill, undeterred by the intense mortar and machine-gun fire, which was causing considerable casualties. Displaying courage and leadership of the highest order, he was himself first on the hill crest, personally annihilating in the process at least two enemy machine-gun posts. In the face of such a determined attack the remainder of the enemy fled, but further advance was impossible as the reverse slope was swept by machine-gun fire from Point 209 itself.</p><p>Under cover of a most intense mortar barrage the enemy counter-attacked in an attempt to regain their dug-out positions. Second Lieutenant Ngarimu ordered his men to stand up and engage the enemy man for man. They did this with such good effect that the attackers were virtually mown down, Second Lieutenant Ngarimu personally killing several. During this encounter he was twice wounded, once by fire in the shoulder from a rifle and later by shrapnel in the leg, and though urged by both his commanding officer, his company commander and the battalion commander to go out, he refused to do so, saying that he would stay a little while with his men.</p><p>Darkness found this officer and his depleted platoon lying on the rock face of the forward slope of the hill feature, with the enemy in a similar position on the reverse slope about twenty yards away. Time and again, throughout the night, the enemy launched fierce attacks in an attempt to dislodge 2nd Lieutenant Ngarimu and his men, but each counter-attack was beaten off entirely by this officer’s inspired leadership. During one of these counter-attacks the enemy, by using hand grenades, succeeded in piercing a certain part of the line. Without hesitation Second Lieutenant Ngarimu rushed to the threatened area, and those of the enemy he did not kill he drove back with stones and with his tommy-gun.</p><p>During another determined counter-attack by the enemy, part of his line broke. Yelling out orders and encouragement, he went to his dislodged men, rallied his men and led them in a fierce onslaught back into their old positions. All through the night, between attacks, he and his men were heavily harassed by machine-gun and mortar fire, but Second Lieutenant Ngarimu watched his line very carefully, cheering his men on and inspiring them by his personal conduct. Morning found him still in possession of the hill feature but only he and two unwounded other ranks remained. Reinforcements were sent to him. In the morning the enemy again counter-attacked and it was during this attack that Second Lieutenant Ngarimu met his death. He was killed whilst on his feet defiantly facing the enemy with his tommy-gun at his hip. As he fell he came to rest almost on top of those of the enemy who had fallen to his own gun just before he fell to theirs. The hill feature this officer had so gallantly defended was strewn with enemy dead and was a bold witness of the great courage and fortitude which Second Lieutenant Ngarimu had fought and died.</p><p>That is the deed for which the Victoria Cross has been awarded.&nbsp; Will Mr Hamuera Ngarimu please come forward.&nbsp; (<em>Crowd applauds</em>)<em> </em></p><p><strong>Footnotes</strong></p><p>[<a href="#ftnref1">1</a>]<a name="ftn1"></a> <em>Nga Tama Toa, </em>p. 270</p><p>[<a href="#ftnref2">2</a>]<a name="ftn2"></a> Poem by Anonymous from <em>South Indian Tamil Book Of Poems</em>, see Robert Bridges (ed), <a href="https://www.bartleby.com/97/419.html">The Spirit of Man: An Anthology</a>, Longmans, Green &amp; Co, 2010.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Sound file</strong> from Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, ref: <a href="https://www.ngataonga.org.nz/collections/catalogue/catalogue-item?recor…;. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright.</p><p><strong>Image</strong><br />The image is a detail of DA-01832-F. See full image <a href="/node/16762">here</a>.<br /><a href="https://natlib.govt.nz/collections">Alexander Turnbull Library</a><br />Sir Cyril Newall presents to Mr Hamuera Ngarimu the VC awarded to 2 Lt Te Moananui-a-kiwa Ngarimu - Photograph taken by J D Pascoe Date: 6 Oct 1943.</p><p>Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa must be obtained before any reuse of this image.</p>

<p><strong>Taiamai Amohau gives a welcome speech to those gathered to celebrate the opening of the reconstructed centennial house Tama te Kapua.&nbsp; 28th Maori Battalion Reinforcements were well represented on the day.&nbsp; </strong></p><p><strong>Amohau's speech is prefaced with an introduction by Sir Apirana Ngata.</strong></p><p>Site editor’s note: Ngata's introduction marred by soundfile&nbsp;quality.&nbsp;<br />The audio&nbsp;has had some slight editing</p><h2><strong>Transcript</strong></h2><p><strong>Apirana Ngata:&nbsp; </strong>Rotorua recording 4A.&nbsp; This is one of the recordings taken at the official opening of the Tama te Kapua meeting house at Ohinemutu Rotorua in March of 1943. The two chiefs – Arawa chiefs who were detailed to welcome the distinguished visitors were Taiamai Amohau and Hemana Pokiha.</p><p>Their recordings are very interesting and valuable now as examples of Arawa speech and dialect on formal occasions and as the record of the speech of two men who have since died.</p><p>4A is by Taiamai Amahou, one of the high chiefs of the Arawa tribe – the&nbsp; son of Te Kiwi Amahou and a descendent of that Amohau to whom the offer of the Maori Kingship was made in the Fifties, nearly a hundred years ago. He turned it down with the remark that there were not sufficient people to support the Kingship should he undertake the mission.</p><p><strong>Haka:&nbsp; </strong>Ko te whakaariki<br />Ko te whakaariki<br />Tukua mai ki a piri, tukua mai ki a tata<br />Kia eke mai, ki runga ki te paepae poto a Houmaitawhiti!</p><p><strong>Kepa Ehau:</strong> Kaati i kona, mutua i kona</p><p><strong>Kepa Ehau:</strong> <em>‘tis the distinguished, this the illustrious, tis the renowned, bring him hither, draw him hither, even to the very doorstep of the house of Houmaitawhiti</em></p><p><strong>Taiamai Amohau:</strong> E nga iwi, e nga reo e pae nei tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou.<strong><br />Kepa Ehau:&nbsp; </strong><em>Tribes and associated tribes, you do us the honour of assisting us today to attend the welcome to the Governor General </em></p><p><em></em><strong>Taiamai Amohau:&nbsp; </strong>Tuatahi, e koro Pereiha tena koe, tena koe, tena koe.<strong><br />Kepa Ehau:&nbsp; </strong><em>Mr Fraser, greetings and salutations</em></p><p><strong>Taiamai Amohau:&nbsp; </strong>Ka nui te koa o te ngakau i te mea kua tatu mai koe ki te marae nei kia mihia ano koe e o iwi Maori<strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />Kepa Ehau:&nbsp; </strong><em>It gladdens the heart to see you here today to assist us to welcome his Excellency</em></p><p><strong>Taiamai Amohau:&nbsp; </strong>No reira tena koe i te ahuatanga o to tatau matua o to hoa ko Hauiti e takoto mai ana<strong><br />Kepa Ehau:&nbsp; </strong><em>We greet you as the successor to our late departed friend Mr Savage</em></p><p><strong>Taiamai Amohau:&nbsp; </strong>Te manuhiri tuarangi, te mangai o te Kingi - haere mai, haere mai, haere mai, haere mai.<strong><br />Kepa Ehau:&nbsp; </strong><em>The Governor General, representative of His Majesty the King, welcome</em><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Taiamai Amohau:&nbsp; </strong>Haere mai&nbsp;te tangata rongonui i tenei ra. Otira, i te wa i timata ai tenei pakanga.<strong><br />Kepa Ehau:&nbsp; </strong><em>Welcome, he who started and brought into being the youngest arm of the British Forces</em>.</p><p><strong>Taiamai Amohau:&nbsp; </strong>Te tangata nana i whakaropu – i whakaropu te ahuatanga o nga ropu reremanu i te wa i timata ai tenei pakanga<strong><br />Kepa Ehau:&nbsp; </strong><em>And have reached to the pinnacle of the Air Force. &nbsp;Marshall of the Royal Force, welcome!</em><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Taiamai Amohau:&nbsp; </strong>I tenei ra kua tae mai koe e Koro - haere mai, haere mai, haere mai, haere mai<strong><br />Kepa Ehau:&nbsp; </strong><em>You’re here today and it is my bound and duty to extend the hand of welcome to you.</em></p><p><strong>Taiamai Amohau:&nbsp; </strong>Haere mai kia kite i to iwi Maori e tau nei<strong><br />Kepa Ehau:&nbsp; </strong><em>Here, you have the Maori race before you.</em></p><p><strong>Taiamai Amohau:&nbsp; </strong>Te iwi Maori e kiia nei he piri pono ki te ahuatanga o to tatau Kuini e noho mai nei, heoi ano i te wa o o tatau koeke tae mai ki tenei ra<br /><strong>Kepa Ehau:&nbsp; </strong><em>Loyal from the time of our forebears to the throne of Queen Victoria, <strong>of </strong>revered memory.</em></p><p><strong>Taiamai Amohau:&nbsp; </strong>Hai tautoko i tenei korero e te matua, tenei wa matau tamariki e noho tahi mai ra, e whawhai tahi mai ra i te taha i o ratau hoa pakeha i tenei ra.<strong><br />Kepa Ehau:&nbsp; </strong><em>Aye, we need not flinch your Excellency to the crème of the Maori race who is still carrying on the great fight.</em></p><p><strong>Taiamai Amohau:&nbsp; </strong>Ahakoa takoto mai ratau i te marae o te pakanga, kaore e pouritia ana no te take, ko te putake i whawhaitia ai tenei – i uru ai ratau ki te pakanga i tenei ra ko te hapai i te mana mo to tatau Kuini.<br /><strong>Kepa Ehau:&nbsp; </strong><em>Many of them have fallen; many of them have paid the supreme sacrifice. We grieve not because they fall in the cause of righteousness and truth</em></p><p><strong>Taiamai Amohau:&nbsp; </strong>I tenei ra, e te matua – i&nbsp; tenei ra kua kite koe te ahuatanga katoa – nga&nbsp; whakamaharatanga mo te haurua o te kotahi rau i noho ai te iwi Maori i raro i to maru, i te mana o te Kingi.&nbsp; Tae noa ki wa matau tamariki e noho mai ra i te pakanga<strong><br />Kepa Ehau:&nbsp; </strong><em>Hence we, those who are left behind, have constructed these centennial memorials as an acknowledgement of their courage and their bravery and in memorial of them today</em><strong><em><br /></em></strong></p><p><strong>Taiamai Amohau:&nbsp; </strong>E koa ana o matau ngakau i te mea ka hurihia tenei o to matau tipuna hei whakamaharatanga mo tenei rau tau<strong><br />Kepa Ehau:&nbsp; <em>The heart of this land </em></strong><em>&nbsp;–of this our ancestral hall has been included in the midst of those memorials to commemorate</em> <em>the hundreds who served for this country of ours</em></p><p><strong>Taiamai Amohau:&nbsp; </strong>Ka noho ano ai te whawhatanga a o tatau koroua, na ratau nei whakatere i runga te moana ki te kuini – te Kuini o Ingarangi tae noa ki nga Maori katoa kia piripono ki a Ingarangi… [words illegible]<strong><br />Kepa Ehau:&nbsp; </strong><em>We but follow in the footsteps of those of our people who have departed, who on bended knees tendered their allegiance to that great white queen, we are their cousins and we do likewise</em></p><p><strong>Taiamai Amohau:&nbsp; </strong>I tenei ra e tu nei to tatau kuini – te wahine nana i whakatere te hua, kia manaakitia to iwi Maori i raro i nga manaakitanga a te Kingitanga<strong><br />Kepa Ehau:&nbsp; </strong><em>Let her stand, our great white queen in our midst and all that is dear that is light to us we derive from that great stature of that great white woman</em></p><p><strong>Taiamai Amohau:&nbsp; </strong>No reira he aha te tohu – he aha te tohu ma matau i tenei ra, e tangi ana matau ki runga i te ahuatanga o tenei pakanga. Ara i rongo atu i te ahuatanga o tana mokopuna e noho mai ra i te pae o te pakanga<strong><br />Kepa Ehau:&nbsp; </strong><em>What is the position today? Her great grandson occupies that throne and we must do our duty as his loyal subjects to join with you in this great course</em></p><p><strong>Taiamai Amohau: </strong>Toia mai <br /><strong>Group:&nbsp; </strong>te waka<br /><strong>Leader: </strong>Ki te urunga<br /><strong>Group: </strong>te waka<br /><strong>Leader: </strong>Ki te moenga<br /><strong>Group: </strong>te waka<br />Ki te takotoranga i takoto ai te waka</p><p><strong><br /></strong></p>

<p><strong>Sound file</strong> from Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, ref: <a href="https://www.ngataonga.org.nz/collections/catalogue/catalogue-item?recor…;. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright.</p>