Puna rauemi

Oro

<p><strong>Students from Waiomatatini perform the song ‘Karangatia ra’ and the <acronym title="dance of challenge and welcome; chant with accompanying actions">haka</acronym> ‘Paikea’ during competitions held at Uepohatu marae in 1947.&nbsp; </strong></p><p><strong>‘Karangatia ra’ was originally composed by Sir Apirana Ngata for the return of the Pioneer Battalion from World War I.&nbsp; This version has been adapted slightly for this event.</strong><br /><br /><strong>The haka ‘Paikea’ establishes tells the story of the ancestor and his journey from Hawaiki.&nbsp; He settled at Whangara marrying Huturangi and joining his genealogical line with that of the navigator Te Whironui.&nbsp;</strong></p><p>The <acronym title=" open space or courtyard where people gather, generally in front of a main building or meeting house; forum of social life; modern meaning: the complex of buildings surrounding the courtyard and the courtyard itself">marae </acronym><em></em>hosted events&nbsp;held on the 12th and 13th of September&nbsp;that&nbsp;included cultural competitions with local school children,&nbsp;the opening of the Uepohatu War Memorial Hall, a reunion of ex-service people (including members of the Maori Battalion), a concert and the opening of the Uepohatu War Memorial Hall.&nbsp; The hall was built to commemorate East Coast soldiers who died during the two World Wars.&nbsp;</p><p>At an investiture ceremony&nbsp;held on the second day, seventeen decorations were presented to servicemen and women who had served abroad and on the home front.</p><p>The gathering was an important one, attended by thousands including&nbsp;the Prime Minister Peter Fraser, the Leader of the Opposition Sidney Holland and other members of Parliament.&nbsp; Sir Bernard Freyberg, the Governor General opened the hall and unveiled two memorial tablets inside.</p><h2>Transcript</h2><p><strong>Karangatia ra</strong><br /><br />Karangatia ra, karangatia ra<br />Powhiritia ra<br />Nga iwi o te motu<br />Nga mano tini<br />Haere mai<br />He hui aroha<br />Mo nga hoia<br />Ngau te aroha me te mamae</p><p>Haere mai e nga iwi<br />Haere mai e nga toa<br />Nau mai te kawana<br />Nga mana tiketike <br />Honoa mai te aroha<br />Haere mai<br />Nga ohaki a nga tupuna<br />Ngau nei te aroha me te mamae</p><p>Nau ra e Api<br />Nau ra e koro<br />Wero ki taku uma<br />Titi rawa i te manawa<br />Oho ana te mauri, aue ra<br />Taonga tukuiho a nga tupuna</p><p><strong>Paikea<br /><br />Kaea:</strong> Tena i whiua<br />Uia mai koia, whakahuatia ake, ko wai te whare nei?<br /><strong>Te katoa:</strong> E ko Te Kani <br /><strong>Kaea:</strong> Ko wai te tekoteko kai runga? <br /><strong>Te katoa:</strong> E ko Paikea, e ko Paikea<br /><strong>Kaea:</strong> Whakakau Paikea. <br /><strong>Te katoa:</strong> Hi<br /><strong>Kaea:</strong> Whakakau he tipua. <br /><strong>Te katoa:</strong> Hi<br /><strong>Kaea:</strong> Whakakau he taniwha. <br /><strong>Te katoa:</strong> Hi<br />Ka u Paikea ki Ahuahu. Pakia<br />Kei te whitia koe ko Kahutia-te-rangi. Aue<br />E awhi o ringa ki te tamahine a Te Whironui <br />Nana i noho te Roto-o-Tahe<br />Aue, aue, he koruru koe, koro e</p><p><br /><br />&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><em>Te Waiomatatini and Tikitiki students at Rangitukia in 1945. <br />J</em>ohnson, Owen, fl 1940s. The Waiomatatini and Tikitiki parties at a hui at Rangitukia - Photographed by Owen Johnson. Mackrell, Brent :Photographs relating to Poverty Bay. Ref: PA1-o-1038-09-4. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. <a href="http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22510474">http://natlib.govt.nz/records/2…;

<p><strong>The beautiful song ‘Arohaina mai’ performed by students from Manutahi School during cultural competitions at Uepohatu marae in 1947.&nbsp; </strong></p><p><strong>'Arohaina mai' was composed by Tuini Ngawai after the farewell to soldiers at Waiparapara. &nbsp;“On her way home … overcome by the emotion of the occasion, sat down by the roadside to rest…the words came to her mind, complete.&nbsp; She wrote them down then and there.” (Soutar, Nga Tama Toa, p.73)</strong></p><p><strong>It is sung to the tune ‘When Love Walked In’.</strong></p><p>The <acronym title=" open space or courtyard where people gather, generally in front of a main building or meeting house; forum of social life; modern meaning: the complex of buildings surrounding the courtyard and the courtyard itself">marae </acronym><em></em>hosted events&nbsp;held on the 12th and 13th of September&nbsp;that&nbsp;included cultural competitions with local school children,&nbsp;the opening of the Uepohatu War Memorial Hall, a reunion of ex-service people (including members of the Maori Battalion), a concert and the opening of the Uepohatu War Memorial Hall.&nbsp; The hall was built to commemorate East Coast soldiers who died during the two World Wars.&nbsp;</p><p>At an investiture ceremony&nbsp;held on the second day, seventeen decorations were presented to servicemen and women who had served abroad and on the home front.</p><p>The gathering was an important one, attended by thousands including&nbsp;the Prime Minister Peter Fraser, the Leader of the Opposition Sidney Holland and other members of Parliament.&nbsp; Sir Bernard Freyberg, the Governor General opened the hall and unveiled two memorial tablets inside.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>Transcript</h2><table width="655" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="top" width="295"><p>Arohaina mai, e te Kingi nui<br />Manaakitia ra o tamariki, e!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />Horahia mai ra te marie nui&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />Ki te Hokowhitu-a-Tu Toa!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Nga mamaetanga me nga pouri nui&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />Pehia rawatia ki raro ra, e;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />Me anga atu, ka karanga ki&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />Te Matua, Aue! Aroha mai&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Nga hapu katoa o Aotearoa, e,&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />Tauawhitia ra ko toku rongo<br />Kia mau te Tihei Mauriora a&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />Nga tipuna , he tohu wehi, e!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p></td><td valign="top" width="360"><p>Great King! Bestow Thy love upon them all;<br />Thy children take into Thy loving care;<br />Spread wide for them Thy mantle of goodwill;<br />Thy blessing on this Warrior Band of Tu.</p><p>Our pain and sorrow great and all they be<br />Subdue with patience, though with straining hearts.<br />Turn in your deep distress and call unto&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />The Father, ‘God bestow Thy gracious care!’</p><p>Ye many tribes of Aotearoa<br />Cling to the fame, that we have gained in war;<br />Shout, as your fathers did in olden days,<br />&nbsp;‘Away with evil! Hail, and all is well.’</p></td></tr></tbody></table>

<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>Nga Taonga a Nga Tama Toa Trust</p>

<p><strong>The national anthem 'God save the King' opens the reunion of ex-service personnel at Uepohatu Marae in 1947.&nbsp; </strong><strong>See the programme <a href="/node/25223" target="_blank">here</a>.</strong></p><p>The <acronym title=" open space or courtyard where people gather, generally in front of a main building or meeting house; forum of social life; modern meaning: the complex of buildings surrounding the courtyard and the courtyard itself">marae </acronym><em></em>hosted events&nbsp;held on the 12th and 13th of September&nbsp;that&nbsp;included cultural competitions with local school children&nbsp;and the opening of the Uepohatu War Memorial Hall.&nbsp; The hall was built to commemorate East Coast soldiers who died during the two World Wars.&nbsp;</p><p>A reunion of ex-service people (including members of the Maori Battalion) was also held.&nbsp;</p><p>At the Investiture held on the second day, seventeen decorations were presented to servicemen and women who had served abroad and on the home front.</p><p>The gathering was an important one. attended by thousands including&nbsp;the Prime Minister Peter Fraser, the Leader of the Opposition Sidney Holland and other members of Parliament.&nbsp; Sir Bernard Freyberg, the Governor General opened the hall and unveiled two memorial tablets inside.</p><h2>Transcript</h2><p><strong>Master of ceremonies:</strong> By my asking you all, to stand, to&nbsp;charge your glasses, to rise, to charge your glasses to his Majesty the King... (?) gentlemen</p><p><strong><span>National anthem</span></strong><span><br />God save our gracious king<br />Long live our noble king<br />God save the king<br /><br />Send him victorious<br />Happy and glorious<br />Long to reign over us<br />God save the king<br /><br /><strong>Master of ceremonies: </strong>Gentlemen to the king<br /><strong>Gathering: </strong></span><span>To the king</span></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>Crop of programme from the Special Reunion of ex-service personnel. <a href="/node/25223" target="_blank">See full image</a>.&nbsp;<br /><a href="http://natlib.govt.nz/&quot; target="_blank">National Library of New Zealand</a><br />005 - Papers re Uepohatu hall and a reunion, 1947<br />Reference Number: MS-Papers-6919-0163. Sir Apirana Turupa Ngata Collection, 1874-1950 : Papers (MS-Group-0941)</p>

<p><strong>Waipaina Awarau gives the toast to Absent Comrades at the reunion of ex-service personnel held at Uepohatu Marae in 1947.&nbsp; His&nbsp;toast is followed by the Last Post and Reveille&nbsp;played by Lt Rua Kaika.&nbsp;Kaika&nbsp;along with <a href="/node/2954" target="_blank">Pine</a>&nbsp;and Hone Taiapa also carved&nbsp;the house.[<a href="#ftn1">1</a>]&nbsp; </strong></p><p><strong>See the reunion programme&nbsp;</strong><a href="/node/25223" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p>The <acronym title=" open space or courtyard where people gather, generally in front of a main building or meeting house; forum of social life; modern meaning: the complex of buildings surrounding the courtyard and the courtyard itself">marae </acronym><em></em>hosted events&nbsp;held on the 12th and 13th of September&nbsp;that&nbsp;included cultural competitions with local school children&nbsp;and the opening of the Uepohatu War Memorial Hall.&nbsp; The hall was built to commemorate East Coast soldiers who died during the two World Wars.&nbsp;</p><p>A reunion of ex-service people (including members of the Maori Battalion) was also held.&nbsp;</p><p>At the Investiture held on the second day, seventeen decorations were presented to servicemen and women who had served abroad and on the home front.</p><p>The gathering was an important one. attended by thousands including&nbsp;the Prime Minister Peter Fraser, the Leader of the Opposition Sidney Holland and other members of Parliament.&nbsp; Sir Bernard Freyberg, the Governor General opened the hall and unveiled two memorial tablets inside.</p><h2>Transcript</h2><p>Your Excellencies, Chairman, ladies and gentlemen.&nbsp; I deem it a great honour and a privilege to have been given the task tonight of proposing that very important toast, the toast of absent comrades.&nbsp; Many of you know, that quite a lot of them now rest on foreign fields.&nbsp; In the course of a few hours, we shall be joining with our fellow citizens in the dedication of a carved dining hall to their memory. Such dedication will bring back to mind other edifices. This edifice which will be open tomorrow will stand as a mute reminder to you and to me and to those who come after us of the exacting price which the state demands of its citizens. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>As ex-service, as ex-members of the fighting services such dedication will bring back to our minds and memories those wooden crosses which now bedeck the slopes of Gallipolli, the arid wastes of the Western desert, the poppied fields of France and Italy and all other battle fields, areas which have become part and parcel of our own homeland. Hallowed and enriched by the sacrifices of our comrades, many of them.&nbsp;</p><p>While we remember the fallen, let us not forget the living, many of them today are carrying the scars of war. To them we hope will come speedy relief and recovery.&nbsp; Not a few have found homes in distant lands, but the majority like you and me are spread throughout the length and breadth of our land. And have found and are endeavouring to find places for themselves in the civic life of the community.&nbsp; I am sure, had they been given the opportunity they would have been happy to be present with us here tonight.</p><p>Before asking you gentlemen to stand and help me honour this toast, may I commend to your notice and for your sympathetic interest, understanding and assistance the noble work which is being done by heritage (?).&nbsp; That body of which our Governor General, his Excellency is patron, and which without ostentation has been doing so much for those who suffered most, the widows and dependents of absent comrades.</p><p>Gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen may I ask you to stand and drink and honour this toast of absent comrades.</p><h3><strong>Footnote</strong></h3><div><div id="ftn1"><p><a id="_ftn1" title="" name="ftn1" href="#_ftnref1"></a>[<a href="#ftnref1">1</a>] Monty Soutar,<em> Nga Tama Toa</em>, 2008, p.370</p></div></div>

<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>The group Te Hokowhitu a Tu from Tokomaru Bay perform the song 'Arohaina mai' at a reunion held for ex-service personnel at&nbsp;Uepohatu Marae in 1947.&nbsp; </strong><strong>See the programme </strong><a href="/node/25223" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><strong>'Arohaina mai' was composed by Tuini Ngawai after the farewell to soldiers at Waiparapara. &nbsp;“On her way home … overcome by the emotion of the occasion, sat down by the roadside to rest…the words came to her mind, complete.&nbsp; She wrote them down then and there.” (Soutar, Nga Tama Toa, p.73)</strong></p><p><strong>It is sung to the tune ‘When Love Walked In’.</strong></p><p>The <acronym title=" open space or courtyard where people gather, generally in front of a main building or meeting house; forum of social life; modern meaning: the complex of buildings surrounding the courtyard and the courtyard itself">marae </acronym><em></em>hosted events&nbsp;held on the 12th and 13th of September&nbsp;that&nbsp;included cultural competitions with local school children&nbsp;and the opening of the Uepohatu War Memorial Hall.&nbsp; The hall was built to commemorate East Coast soldiers who died during the two World Wars.&nbsp;</p><p>A reunion of ex-service people (including members of the Maori Battalion) was also held.&nbsp;</p><p>At the Investiture held on the second day, seventeen decorations were presented to servicemen and women who had served abroad and on the home front.</p><p>The gathering was an important one. attended by thousands including&nbsp;the Prime Minister Peter Fraser, the Leader of the Opposition Sidney Holland and other members of Parliament.&nbsp; Sir Bernard Freyberg, the Governor General opened the hall and unveiled two memorial tablets inside.</p><h2>Transcript</h2><table width="655" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="top" width="295"><p>Arohaina mai, e te Kingi nui<br />Manaakitia ra o tamariki, e!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />Horahia mai ra te marie nui&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />Ki te Hokowhitu-a-Tu Toa!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Nga mamaetanga me nga pouri nui&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />Pehia rawatia ki raro ra, e;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />Me anga atu, ka karanga ki&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />Te Matua, Aue! Aroha mai&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Nga hapu katoa o Aotearoa, e,&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />Tauawhitia ra ko toku rongo<br />Kia mau te Tihei Mauriora a&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />Nga tipuna , he tohu wehi, e!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p></td><td valign="top" width="360"><p>Great King! Bestow Thy love upon them all;<br />Thy children take into Thy loving care;<br />Spread wide for them Thy mantle of goodwill;<br />Thy blessing on this Warrior Band of Tu.</p><p>Our pain and sorrow great and all they be<br />Subdue with patience, though with straining hearts.<br />Turn in your deep distress and call unto&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />The Father, ‘God bestow Thy gracious care!’</p><p>Ye many tribes of Aotearoa<br />Cling to the fame, that we have gained in war;<br />Shout, as your fathers did in olden days,<br />&nbsp;‘Away with evil! Hail, and all is well.’</p></td></tr></tbody></table>

<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>Crop of programme from the Special Reunion of ex-service personnel. <a href="/node/25223" target="_blank">See full image</a>.&nbsp;<strong>&nbsp;<br /></strong><a href="https://natlib.govt.nz/&quot; target="_blank">National Library of New Zealand</a><br />005 - Papers re Uepohatu hall and a reunion, 1947<br />Reference Number: MS-Papers-6919-0163. Sir Apirana Turupa Ngata Collection, 1874-1950 : Papers (MS-Group-0941)</p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><strong>Lt-Col James Leggat <acronym title="Efficiency Decoration – awarded to officers of the New Zealand Territorial Force who complete twelve years continuous and efficient service">(ED)</acronym> gives the toast to the Armed Services at the reunion of ex-service personnel at Uepohatu Marae in 1947.&nbsp;</strong> <strong>See the programme <a href="/node/25223" target="_blank">here</a>.</strong></p><p><strong>Leggat served with 22 Battalion in the Second World War.&nbsp; Prior to the war was a school teacher and headmaster.&nbsp; On his return&nbsp;he took up the position of&nbsp;headmaster at Gisborne High School.</strong>&nbsp; </p><p>The <acronym title=" open space or courtyard where people gather, generally in front of a main building or meeting house; forum of social life; modern meaning: the complex of buildings surrounding the courtyard and the courtyard itself">marae </acronym><em></em>hosted events held on the 12th and 13th of September&nbsp;that&nbsp;included cultural competitions with local school children&nbsp;and the opening of the Uepohatu War Memorial Hall.&nbsp; The hall was built to commemorate East Coast soldiers who died during the two World Wars.&nbsp;</p><p>A reunion of ex-service people (including members of the Maori Battalion) was also held.&nbsp;</p><p>At the Investiture held on the second day, seventeen decorations were presented to servicemen and women who had served abroad and on the home front.</p><p>The gathering was an important one. attended by thousands including&nbsp;the Prime Minister Peter Fraser, the Leader of the Opposition Sidney Holland and other members of Parliament.&nbsp; Sir Bernard Freyberg, the Governor General opened the hall and unveiled two memorial tablets inside.</p><h2>Transcript</h2><p>This is a toast that in such a gathering as this, you won’t need much incentive from me. You either are or have been members of the Armed Services. And with no encouragement from me there will be no stint or lack of enthusiasm in honouring the toast. Coupled with this toast are the names of Lady Freyberg and Colonel Dittmer. Colonel Dittmer, Colonel Dittmer’s name will always be linked with that of the Maori Battalion. (cheers) He is the Pakeha who shaped it first and gave it direction with what results you all know.&nbsp; At first as some of the boys know he was relentless in the pursuit of efficiency, but he got it.&nbsp; And always outside of the Battalion he was jealous and sensitive for the honour of the boys that he commanded.&nbsp; No finer voice could speak for our New Zealand war effort Maori and Pakeha, Middle East and Pacific than Colonel Dittmer.&nbsp;</p><p>Some of the boys here might remember in the early days having to find a meal in Cairo in the Effies or Naafis.&nbsp; Do you remember when the New Zealand club started?&nbsp; When you could go along there and you had table cloths. When New Zealand girls came along and they spoke to you in New Zealand voices. They didn’t call out to you ‘George’ from the other side of the room. (laughter) The club that reminded you of home, where sometimes you could have whitebait, where sometimes you could have mussels – if you were lucky.&nbsp; Where if you were tired of Stella you might buy New Zealand beer. All these home touches just didn’t come by themselves, they were inspired.</p><p>There, if you went to hospital, you boys will remember, the New Zealand girls who treated you in a masterly and in a masterful way they knew what you were doing. I think sometimes they even knew what you were thinking. (laughter) For all these good qualities of hard working conspicuously, of trying to do the best that could be done for the New Zealand soldier, you see represented in Lady Freyberg. (Applause) You may remember her, as I do, industriously cutting piles of ham sandwiches for the troops coming back from the desert. You might’ve known of her personal interest in every New Zealand soldier that passed through. Well ladies and gentlemen I think that in herself she epitomised all the good work New Zealand women did overseas and that was second-to-none.</p><p>So in linking Lady Freyberg and Colonel Dittmer to this toast, ladies and gentlemen I’d ask you to charge your glasses and&nbsp;drink to the toast of the Armed Services&nbsp;[some chatter] -&nbsp;the Armed Services.</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>Crop of programme from the Special Reunion of ex-service personnel. <a href="/node/25223" target="_blank">See full image</a>. <br /><a href="http://natlib.govt.nz/&quot; target="_blank">National Library of New Zealand</a><br />005 - Papers re Uepohatu hall and a reunion, 1947<br />Reference Number: MS-Papers-6919-0163. Sir Apirana Turupa Ngata Collection, 1874-1950 : Papers (MS-Group-0941)</p>

<p><strong>Lady Freyberg replies to the toast to the Armed Services at the reunion of ex-service people at Uepohatu Marae in 1947. </strong><strong>See the programme </strong><a href="/node/25223" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><strong>Lady Barbara Freyberg&nbsp;was&nbsp;the wife of the Governor General Sir Bernard Freyberg and a&nbsp;member of the New Zealand Women's Army Auxiliary Corps.&nbsp; Lady Freyberg</strong><strong> was very active in the welfare effort for troops of the New Zealand Second Division.&nbsp; She led the ‘Tuis’, who ran the New Zealand Forces&nbsp;club, that&nbsp;served tea and refreshments.&nbsp; The Club and the Tuis provided a popular Kiwi-style home away from home for all New Zealand troops in London, the Middle East and Italy</strong>.</p><p><strong>In Cairo, Lady Freyberg supported soldiers wounded in action, she would visit with them and keep updated on their progress.&nbsp;She would also personally write letters of condolence to the families of these soldiers that died.</strong></p><p>The <acronym title=" open space or courtyard where people gather, generally in front of a main building or meeting house; forum of social life; modern meaning: the complex of buildings surrounding the courtyard and the courtyard itself">marae </acronym><em></em>hosted events&nbsp;held on the 12th and 13th of September&nbsp;that&nbsp;included cultural competitions with local school children&nbsp;and the opening of the Uepohatu War Memorial Hall.&nbsp; The hall was built to commemorate East Coast soldiers who died during the two World Wars.&nbsp;</p><p>A reunion of ex-service people (including members of the Maori Battalion) was also held.&nbsp;</p><p>At the Investiture held on the second day, seventeen decorations were presented to servicemen and women who had served abroad and on the home front.</p><p>The gathering was an important one. attended by thousands including&nbsp;the Prime Minister Peter Fraser, the Leader of the Opposition Sidney Holland and other members of Parliament.&nbsp; Sir Bernard Freyberg, the Governor General opened the hall and unveiled two memorial tablets inside.</p><p>Site editors note: some of the recording is indecipherable, where word is unknown it&nbsp;is replaced with (?)</p><h2>Transcript</h2><p>Colonel Awatere, the Right Honourable Prime Minister, Ladies and Gentlemen. I feel that it is a very great honour to have been asked to reply to this toast, this evening. An honour to have been asked to be present at such a notable gathering and also to speak in the presence of such eminent other friends. I would have hoped that I were a worthier and more representative member of the ex-service women.&nbsp; But it is as I say a very great honour for me to propose or to take part in this toast of the Armed Forces of the Crown as represented by that group of ex-service women who were such a very gallant sisterhood.</p><p>It was my privilege to serve in a humble capacity in the welfare services of the New Zealand Division. And in view of my general present appointment, as well as for the incomparable experiences that my war service gave me, I am all the more grateful to have had what I might call this opportunity of a preview of New Zealand through her service men and service women overseas.</p><p>I am particularly glad to be associated in this toast this evening with Colonel Dittmer. For on the first occasion when I had the pleasure of meeting Colonel Dittmer it was also another very notable occasion for me. The first occasion when I had the great excitement and pleasure of meeting members of the 28th Battalion. The famous Maori Battalion which was afterwards to win such undying fame and glory. This occasion was in June 1940, a very dark and difficult moment of the war. I had just flown back from Egypt where I had had the great interest and pleasure of meeting members of the First Echelon. And in London it was suddenly a night that the Second Echelon had just landed in the United Kingdom. A group had been formed called the New Zealand War Services Association at the instigation of the High Commissioner to render such welfare services as we were able to any New Zealanders who might be in England. So we were called together at short notice and told that this large body of New Zealand troops would be coming on this embarkation leave to London within a few days and would we please do something about it.</p><p>We had no club at that time and the only New Zealand building in London, New Zealand House, was small and overcrowded. But we were fortunate in being able to take a theatre almost next door to New Zealand House and there we set up a reception centre and divided ourselves into groups who would take charge of sightseeing, entertainment, and hospitality and shopping and try to do all we could to give the New Zealanders who had just landed, a happy time.</p><p>Well, when I first met Colonel Dittmer he walked into this centre, into the private hall of the&nbsp;(?) with a large number of the Maori boys which, he looked rather worried as if he were trying to count his chickens and keep close hold of them.&nbsp; And when I made a rather timid suggestion of a programme of entertainment, he gave me rather a stern rejoinder. But when he discovered that we were out to do our best and were anxious to do what we could to give his boys an enjoyable time he thawed completely and became very kind and co-operative.&nbsp;</p><p>That was the first of many and subsequent meetings with members of the Maori Battalion. And I have so many pictures in my mind of happy days in Egypt and in Italy during those periods of leave when they came to the clubs. And I shall always associate them with that wonderful charm and gaiety and&nbsp;(?) and fun which had made them such splendid ambassadors of their race wherever they have gone and have endeared them to people of many lands.</p><p>It is indeed an honour and pleasure for me to have been here today, and I join in this toast with a full heart and many grateful thanks for having been given the honour to address you. [applause]</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>Lady Freyberg, New Zealand Forces Club, Cairo, Egypt. New Zealand. Department of Internal Affairs. War History Branch :Photographs relating to World War 1914-1918, World War 1939-1945, occupation of Japan, Korean War, and Malayan Emergency. Ref: DA-02387-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. <a href="http://natlib.govt.nz/records/23032681">http://natlib.govt.nz/records/2…;

<p><strong>Colonel Reginald Frank Gambrill gives the toast to the Homefront at the reunion of ex-service people held at Uepohatu Marae in 1947.</strong><br /><br /><strong>He served with 1st (Hawke's Bay Company) Wellington Regiment at Gallipoli and on the Western Front during the First World War. He was also Commanding Officer of the Hauraki Regiment from 1924-26.&nbsp; After the war he held many roles including Dominion Vice-President of the Returned Services Association.<a id="_ftnref1" title="_ftnref1" name="ftnref1" href="#_ftn1"></a>[<a href="#ftn1">1</a>]</strong></p><p>The <acronym title=" open space or courtyard where people gather, generally in front of a main building or meeting house; forum of social life; modern meaning: the complex of buildings surrounding the courtyard and the courtyard itself">marae </acronym><em></em>hosted events&nbsp;held on the 12th and 13th of September&nbsp;that&nbsp;included cultural competitions with local school children&nbsp;and the opening of the Uepohatu War Memorial Hall.&nbsp; The hall was built to commemorate East Coast soldiers who died during the two World Wars.&nbsp;</p><p>A reunion of ex-service people (including members of the Maori Battalion) was also held.&nbsp;</p><p>At the Investiture held on the second day, seventeen decorations were presented to servicemen and women who had served abroad and on the home front.</p><p>The gathering was an important one. attended by thousands including&nbsp;the Prime Minister Peter Fraser, the Leader of the Opposition Sidney Holland and other members of Parliament.&nbsp;Sir Bernard Freyberg, the Governor General opened the hall and unveiled two memorial tablets inside.</p><h2>Transcript</h2><p><strong>Lieutenant Colonel Awatere:</strong> That’s the stuff. Well now the next toast ladies and gentlemen is the Homefront and I have the pleasure of calling upon Colonel RF Gambrill to give that toast.This will be followed with an item by the Tairawhiti Kiwi Club and a response will be given by the Right Honourable P Fraser Prime Minister followed by Mr HG Holland MP and the Honourable ET Tirikatene.&nbsp; Now ladies and gentlemen -Colonel Gambrill.</p><p><strong>Colonel Gambrill:</strong> Gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, Your Excellency, fellow Diggers and Kiwis, distinguished visitors and guests. My toast is the Homefront. I couple it with the distinguished names of the Right Honourable Mr Fraser the Prime Minister, Mr HG Holland MP and the Honourable Mr ET Tirikatene.</p><p>My toast is the Homefront, by only a few minutes. Not all of us can go to war.Some of us were too old, others were too young. Some were indispensable, some were unfit; some had committed misdemeanours and were not wanted. A few, a very few did not desire to go. But in one direction or another each and everyone contributed his little or his lot to the effort on the Homefront. And having been denied the privilege of service overseas which is a privilege that all your fellows have, is yet worth of remembrance at a party such as this.</p><p>The women who worked and watched and waited and worked again. The men who did their own job and another job. Your own Sir Apirana who did ten mens’ jobs. [applause] The Independent Mounted Rifles, the National (?), the Homeguardsmen who wore out his Sunday, his gardening clothes, his second best, his Sunday suit with coupons scarce trained to meet the invader who very nearly got here but just failed. He wants no medals, he now reveres his pair of boots - they are his reward. He learned to know and to respect his neighbour. The men and women of the EPS and a lot of personages of other services and patriotic organisations. The men and women on the farms, and in the factories and in the offices. All the workers on the Homefront and once again, the women, struggling with their coupons who watched and prayed fearfully. All of these and many more I ask you to remember in this toast. They worked upon the Homefront, but what of the Homefront now.</p><p>Today our friends in Britain face an economic dunkirk. The Battle of the food for Britain is upon us. Boys our comrades up the line are hungry. What are you going to do about it?</p><p>The war continues, the fruits of our military victories have not been garnered. You fought for peace, peace. Not for any uneasy pause of insecurity between two periods of active service. Two bloodbaths - are we to have a third? Peace can be secured only by action upon the Homefront. Governments and institutions can not confer peace, acts of parliament can not give it to us. We, we, you and I must achieve it. Peace is of the spirit, something for the hearts and minds of men and women. You and me, each individual, it is our personal responsibility.</p><p>[cut in recording]</p><p>...in victory as at Dunkirk, in a moment set aside for silent prayer. During the shining of (?). How we pray, each and every one of us alone knows, the answer we all know. The utterances of our greatest leaders proves that those prayers were answered. Let us then on the Homefront work for peace, pray for peace, fight for peace and beware the expedience of disarmament and appeasement. We’ve tried that and they were found wanting.</p><p>Peace comes from understanding and understanding from knowledge and goodwill. Here you have goodwill here tonight as ever in any soldiers gathering. Goodwill between men and men based on the selfless service and self sacrifice. Between race and race based upon mutual trust and common understanding. &nbsp;And may I say between party and party, based upon our friend the Right Honourable the Prime Minister and the Leader of his Opposition.</p><p>For final victory on the Homefront the praying need is goodwill on earth, between man and man, group and group, party and party, religion and religion; Jew and Gentile, the (?) and Hindu, race and race and finally nation and nation. Then and only then will we have peace and victory. Armies for war comprise a mass of individuals. Armies for peace must be even stronger, made up of individuals and you can’t conscript for peace. No individual can escape his share of the responsibility for success with what man is now attempting. Peace that it’s so far failed to achieve. It is not impossible, just forget the isms and try Christianity. You fellows won the victory in the field, now we must all win the peace. Or else face the holocaust. We have the most powerful weapons on earth to win the peace – thought, prayer, goodwill. Thoughts can be atoms, properly applied it can control what it (?). Wants, fear, ignorance, intolerance, hatred are the enemies.</p><p>Let your association with the Returned Services Association be a beacon for goodwill throughout our fair land, spreading its fight among the whole community. Then truly will the memorial which tomorrow you will dedicate will typify the aim for which those who it commemorates gave up their lives. Let their spirits guide us onto the peace, peace on earth to men and goodwill. I ask you to be upstanding with charged glasses and to toast, be upstanding. Ladies and gentlemen be upstanding and toast the toast of the Homefront coupled with the names of those distinguished gentlemen to whom I have already referred.</p><p>Ladies and gentlemen I give you the toast – the Homefront.&nbsp;</p><h3>Footnote</h3><div><div id="ftn1"><p><a id="_ftn1" title="_ftn1" name="ftn1" href="#_ftnref1"></a>[<a href="#ftnref1">1</a>] 'War Memorial Buildings Dedicated and Opened,' in <em>Gisborne Photo News</em>, <a href="https://photonews.org.nz/gisborne/issue/GPN40_19571017/t1-body-d35.html…; target="_blank">No 40: October 17</a>, 1957</p></div></div>

<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> ‘Veterans reunion’, in <em>Gisborne Photo News</em>, <a href="https://photonews.org.nz/gisborne/issue/GPN225_19730328/t1-body-d23.htm…; target="_blank">No. 225, March 28</a>, 1973</p>

<p><strong>'Nga whare pa' sung by the Hikurangi Party at the reunion of ex-service people at Uepohatu Marae in 1947.</strong> <strong>See the programme </strong><a href="/node/25223" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a>.</p>

<p><strong>The <acronym title=" open space or courtyard where people gather, generally in front of a main building or meeting house; forum of social life; modern meaning: the complex of buildings surrounding the courtyard and the courtyard itself">marae </acronym>hosted events&nbsp;held on the 12th and 13th of September&nbsp;that&nbsp;included cultural competitions with local school children&nbsp;and the opening of the Uepohatu War Memorial Hall.&nbsp; The hall was built to commemorate East Coast soldiers who died during the two World Wars.&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><strong>A reunion of ex-service people (including members of the Maori Battalion) was also held.&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><strong>At the Investiture held on the second day, seventeen decorations were presented to servicemen and women who had served abroad and on the home front.</strong></p>

<p><strong>The gathering was an important one. attended by thousands including&nbsp;the Prime Minister Peter Fraser, the Leader of the Opposition Sidney Holland and other members of Parliament.&nbsp; Sir Bernard Freyberg, the Governor General opened the hall and unveiled two memorial tablets inside.</strong></p>

<h2>Transcription</h2>

<p>Pohiritia ra nga morehu<br />
Te iwi, tangihia&nbsp;<br />
Te mamae e, me te pouri nui&nbsp;<br />
Tenei ra kua mahea</p>

<p>Chorus:<br />
Hoki mai ra!&nbsp;<br />
Hoki mai ra ki te kainga&nbsp;<br />
E tatari atu nei ki a koutou&nbsp;</p>

<p>Nga tau roa i ngaro atu ai. Te aroha<br />
e ngau kino nei i ahau&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kaea: Tahi, rua, toru, wha! (aue)<br />
<br />
Verse 2<br />
Nga whare pa tenei huakina&nbsp;</p>

<p>(E rere!) Te iwi kia koa&nbsp;<br />
Kua hoki mai nga tamariki toa&nbsp;<br />
Ki te ao ora</p>

<p>Repeat chorus:</p>

<p>Aue! Hoki mai ra!&nbsp;<br />
Aue! Hoki mai ra ki te kainga&nbsp;<br />
E tatari atu nei ki a koutou&nbsp;</p>

<p>Nga tau roa i ngaro atu ai. Te aroha<br />
e ngau kino nei i ahau&nbsp;</p>

<p>Hi!</p>

<p><strong>Sound file</strong> from <a href="https://www.ngataonga.org.nz/">Ngā Taonga Sound &amp; Vision</a>. (43115).&nbsp; Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright. To request a copy of the recording, contact Sound Archives Ngā Taonga Kōrero.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Image: </strong>Crop of programme from the Special Reunion of ex-service personnel. <a href="/node/25223" target="_blank">See full image</a><br />
<a href="https://natlib.govt.nz/&quot; target="_blank">National Library of New Zealand</a><br />
005 - Papers re Uepohatu hall and a reunion, 1947<br />
Reference Number: MS-Papers-6919-0163. Sir Apirana Turupa Ngata Collection, 1874-1950 : Papers (MS-Group-0941)</p>

<p><strong>George&nbsp;Dittmer was the first commanding officer of the Maori Battalion responds to the toast to the Armed Services at the reunion for ex-service people held at Uepohatu Marae in 1947.&nbsp; </strong><strong>See the programme </strong><a href="/node/25223" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><strong>Dittmer&nbsp;served in the First World War with the&nbsp;6th Hauraki Company, Auckland Battalion and saw battle in Galliopoli, Egypt, France and Belgium. He received the Military Cross for gallantry. </strong></p><p><strong>“Officers who served with him described him as a very stubborn fighter. ‘Once he had made up his mind to do a thing,’ said one, ‘nothing in the world can shift him in his decision.’<a id="_ftnref1" title="_ftnref1" name="ftnref1" href="#_ftn1"></a>[<a href="#ftn1">1</a>]</strong></p><p>The <acronym title=" open space or courtyard where people gather, generally in front of a main building or meeting house; forum of social life; modern meaning: the complex of buildings surrounding the courtyard and the courtyard itself">marae </acronym><em></em>hosted events&nbsp;held on the 12th and 13th of September&nbsp;that&nbsp;included cultural competitions with local school children&nbsp;and the opening of the Uepohatu War Memorial Hall.&nbsp; The hall was built to commemorate East Coast soldiers who died during the two World Wars.&nbsp;</p><p>A reunion of ex-service people (including members of the Maori Battalion) was also held.&nbsp;</p><p>At the Investiture held on the second day, seventeen decorations were presented to servicemen and women who had served abroad and on the home front.</p><p>The gathering was an important one. attended by thousands including&nbsp;the Prime Minister Peter Fraser, the Leader of the Opposition Sidney Holland and other members of Parliament.&nbsp; Sir Bernard Freyberg, the Governor General opened the hall and unveiled two memorial tablets inside.</p><h2>Transcript</h2><p><strong>Lieutenant-Colonel Awatere:</strong> Ah&nbsp;Ladies and&nbsp;Gentlemen&nbsp;silence please, silence please.&nbsp; Ah, thank you very much your Excellency, Lady Freyberg, thank you very much for the kind words you have spoken tonight.&nbsp; I now have the privilege of calling upon our old koroua Colonel George Dittmer [cheers and applause].</p><p><strong>Colonel Dittmer:</strong> Mr Chairman, Your Excellency, Mr Prime Minister, gentlemen, ex-service women and ex-service men.</p><p>I want to thank Lieutenant-Colonel Leggat for the able manner in which he proposed the toast of the Services.&nbsp; Now, we soldiers overseas were very very proud indeed of the achievements of the Army Nursing Service, the WAAC, the members of the Red Cross and other women organisations assisting us.&nbsp; And it is very very pleasing indeed for us tonight to have here to speak on their behalf Lady Freyberg.&nbsp; And how splendidly she did speak</p><p><strong>Lieutenant Colonel Awatere:</strong> Yeah I’ll say.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Colonel Dittmer:</strong> Now, the proposer of the toast, accused me in quite a big way of being responsible for the doings of the Maori Battalion during the early period of the war. Now, I’m sorry that I can’t let him away with that, and I really mean it, because my effort was a very small one. I had thirty odd splendid officers with me and I had some of the best soldiers ever born [cheers and applause].</p><p>And now also, members of the 28th Battalion will appreciate what we owe to Sir Apirana Ngata and other elders of the Maori race, for at least the organisation in the early stages of the Battalion [cheers and applause].</p><p>One of the most pleasant things to me during the short time that I was with the Battalion was the way in which the Pakeha soldiers expressed in my hearing their very great appreciation for the deeds of the members of the Maori race, not only in the 28 but in all other units. Now that to me was one of the most pleasant parts of my connection with the 28th Battalion. Now, it is very nice on occasions like this to have the three services bunched together in the one toast. I think one of the outstanding features of the last war was the very high standard of efficiency obtained in the matter of co-operation between the three services. Now that was shown very well indeed in that great landing at Normandy, and I want to assure you that the cooperation today between the three services is as good as it was then and is on the upscale.</p><p>Now, being a member of the present Army you possibly would like to hear something from me as to what is happening today. But be lenient with me will you please, because I’ve only got to look along the table here and see all the very high personages and that of course must make me confine my remarks to just a few. Now, many Returned Soldiers are worrying as to what is happening in the Army today. I can’t tell you officially but I do definitely know that a scheme is being hatched, no doubt it will be a good one. Other soldiers are saying, well, we are losing time in the meantime – but don’t you believe it. There is great planning and preparation going on at the moment and a very important matter of again building up our regular core.</p><p>Now, I do not want to detain you any longer, but I want to thank you for the reception given to Lady Freyberg and then a little to myself and again to thank the proposer of the toast – kia ora.</p><p><strong>Lieutenant-Colonel Awatere:</strong> Ladies and gentlemen that was very well received by the people who responded and they are worthy of real clap...</p><p>[Interrupted by attendees singing ‘For he’s a jolly good fellow’ and cheers]</p><p><strong>Lieutenant-Colonel Awatere:</strong> That’s the stuff we give them ladies and gentlemen.</p><h3><strong>Footnote</strong></h3><div><div id="ftn1"><p><a id="_ftn1" title="_ftn1" name="ftn1" href="#_ftnref1"></a>[<a href="#ftnref1">1</a>] Soutar<em>, Nga Tama Toa,</em> p. 43.</p></div></div>

<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>Weekly News 10 December 1941 courtesy of <a href="http://muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/cenotaph/RecordDetail.aspx?Ori…; target="_blank">Auckland War Memorial&nbsp;Museum -&nbsp;Cenotaph Database</a></p>

<p><strong>The Kiwi Club from Gisborne performs the song 'I nga tau tata' and part of the <acronym title="dance of challenge and welcome; chant with accompanying actions">haka</acronym> 'Ruaumoko' in support of speeches at the reunion of ex-service people at Uepohatu Marae in 1947.&nbsp; </strong><strong>See the programme </strong><a href="/node/25223" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a>.</p><p>The <acronym title=" open space or courtyard where people gather, generally in front of a main building or meeting house; forum of social life; modern meaning: the complex of buildings surrounding the courtyard and the courtyard itself">marae </acronym><em></em>hosted events&nbsp;held on the 12th and 13th of September&nbsp;that&nbsp;included cultural competitions with local school children&nbsp;and the opening of the Uepohatu War Memorial Hall.&nbsp; The hall was built to commemorate East Coast soldiers who died during the two World Wars.&nbsp;</p><p>A reunion of ex-service people (including members of the Maori Battalion) was also held.&nbsp;</p><p>At the Investiture held on the second day, seventeen decorations were presented to servicemen and women who had served abroad and on the home front.</p><p>The gathering was an important one. attended by thousands including&nbsp;the Prime Minister Peter Fraser, the Leader of the Opposition Sidney Holland and other members of Parliament.&nbsp;Sir Bernard Freyberg, the Governor General opened the hall and unveiled two memorial tablets inside.</p><p><strong>Site editors note:</strong> Background talk from the gathering&nbsp;is&nbsp;part of this recording, including Sir Apirana Ngata introducing the item.</p><h2>Transcription</h2><p><strong>A T Ngata:</strong> (Introducing item) A Kia ora tatau! Ka tae nei ki ga korero me turituri! A ko te Nati he iwi hoihoi. A kei a koutou kei te kimi waiata kinaki mot e korero a (Someone) Campbell. Te Kiwi Club from Gisborne.</p><p><strong>Kaea:</strong> I nga tau nei</p><p>Torona kei waho!</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Katoa:</strong> I nga tau tata nei</p><p>I nga tau roa</p><p>Ka huihui tatou e</p><p>He aha i hui ai?</p><p>He aroha ra</p><p>Ki nga hoa i te po</p><p>Takoto kino mai e tama ma</p><p>Hei aki tonu mau ki pamamao</p><p>Takoto i te moenga roa</p><p>Mohou mo koutou e</p><p>(Ano)</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>E nga taitamariki o Aotearoa</p><p>Kia ora e tama ma</p><p>I haere koutou</p><p>Kia maia e!</p><p>Te ao e tohe tonu nei</p><p>I naia ko te he e rangona nei</p><p>Te pu me te pakanga he huna ra</p><p>Te momo o te tangata kia tipu ai</p><p>Mohou mo koutou e</p><p>(Ano)</p><p>Tahi rua toru wha! Hi!</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Kaea:</strong> Kokoma! Kokomako</p><p><strong>Katoa:</strong> Ko te hau tapu e rite ki te kai na Matariki</p><p>Tapareireia koi e tapa</p><p>Tapa konunua koi ana tukua</p><p>Hi! Aue! Hi!</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>Crop of programme from the Special Reunion of ex-service personnel. <a href="/node/25223">See full image</a>. <br /><a href="https://natlib.govt.nz/&quot; target="_blank">National Library of New Zealand</a><br />005 - Papers re Uepohatu hall and a reunion, 1947<br />Reference Number: MS-Papers-6919-0163. Sir Apirana Turupa Ngata Collection, 1874-1950 : Papers (MS-Group-0941)</p>

<p><strong>Major McCready proposes the toast in honour of the RSA and the 2NZEF at the reunion of ex-service people at Uepohatu Marae in 1947.&nbsp; His toast is prefaced by Sir Apirana Ngata discussing the raising of the flag the following morning.</strong></p><p><strong>The <acronym title=" open space or courtyard where people gather, generally in front of a main building or meeting house; forum of social life; modern meaning: the complex of buildings surrounding the courtyard and the courtyard itself">marae </acronym><em></em>hosted events&nbsp;held on the 12th and 13th of September&nbsp;that&nbsp;included cultural competitions with local school children&nbsp;and the opening of the Uepohatu War Memorial Hall.&nbsp; The hall was built to commemorate East Coast soldiers who died during the two World Wars.&nbsp;</strong></p><p><strong>A reunion of ex-service people (including members of the Maori Battalion) was also held.&nbsp;</strong></p><p><strong>At the Investiture held on the second day, seventeen decorations were presented to servicemen and women who had served abroad and on the home front.</strong></p><p><strong>The gathering was an important one. attended by thousands including&nbsp;the Prime Minister Peter Fraser, the Leader of the Opposition Sidney Holland and other members of Parliament.&nbsp;Sir Bernard Freyberg, the Governor General opened the hall and unveiled two memorial tablets inside.</strong></p><p><strong>Transcript</strong></p><p>Apirana Ngata: For everybody’s pleasure on behalf of the Whakarua Park Board and the Whakarua Park Board represents the settlers, Pakeha and Maori of this district in accepting the gift of this flag. At six o’clock tomorrow, at Reveille, the ceremony of raising the flag will be carried out, quietly, it’s a bit early. And this flag will commence flying on a flag pole given by the people of the Mangapopo Valley, standing out there. So tomorrow morning is the dedication of the flag and the flagpole of which we will fly – kia ora tatau.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Lieutenant-Colonel Awatere: Ladies and gentlemen the next toast is to the RSA and the 2nd NZEF and I have much pleasure in calling upon Major McCready to propose that honourable toast. Ladies and gentlemen Major McCready.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Major McCready: (?) Mr Chairman, Your Excellencies, the Right Honourable Prime Minister, Ladies and Gentlemen. I’m very proud indeed to have this honour proposing the toast to the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force and the Returned Services Association. I do not intend referring to the exploits of the Second NZEF, or in particular the Second NZ Div. As I know very well that most of you have taken part in those exploits. Those of you who haven’t have read of those exploits and if there are any gaps then you’ve heard so many stories about those exploits I think they would adequately fill those gaps.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>But I do want to say on this occasion, that we of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force are very proud, we are very proud of the honour and privilege of serving with that Force. And that we are very fortunate that we had Your Excellency Sir as our leader and our commander. With regard to the RSA let me say, that here again we have an organisation of which it is our privilege to belong. The RSA is our Association and it is the only Association in this country and is exclusive to us as ex-servicemen. And it is also one, which is our responsibility to keep going in order that we may continue the good work of those who proceeded us. And to have a strong Force to help those comrade in arms who need help now and who will need help in the future. We are fortunate again that our fathers’ built up this organisation and it is now our duty and our heritage to continue the traditions of that organisation.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>And so ladies and gentlemen, I’ll ask you please to rise and drink to the toast of the RSA and the 2NZEF. The RSA and the 2NZEF.</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>Crop of programme from the Special Reunion of ex-service personnel. <a href="/node/25223" target="_blank">See full image</a>. <br /><a href="https://natlib.govt.nz/&quot; target="_blank">National Library of New Zealand</a><br />005 - Papers re Uepohatu hall and a reunion, 1947<br />Reference Number: MS-Papers-6919-0163. Sir Apirana Turupa Ngata Collection, 1874-1950 : Papers (MS-Group-0941)</p></div>