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A. L. Curry, commentator with the New Zealand Mobile Broadcasting Unit in Taranto Italy, introduces a concert presented by the 28 Māori Battalion in Taranto, Italy. "The whole Battalion is assembled for a message of greeting and song on their safe landing in Italy".
Items are presented by A, B, C, D and Headquarters companies of the Battalion. The site of the stage is on a hillside in southern Italy looking down to a moonlit valley below.
Arch Curry introduces the concert (1:01) -- Māori Battalion song.
Kōrero by Padre Wi Huata in Māori and he then introduces the Battalion's Commander, Lieutenant Monty Fairbrother who speaks about the conditions in Italy.
This is followed by himene (hymn) 'Au, e Ihu' ('O Lord look down upon me') and a blessing.
Two action songs follow: ‘Pā mai tō rēo aroha’ (‘Let your love flow on to the marae of the Māori people’), and the song of return, ‘Hoki, hoki tonu mai’. (7:21) --
A Company present a group of items: Captain James Hēnare (Ngāti Hine), who was later the Battalion's Commanding Officer (1945-1946), speaks on behalf of A Company giving a message to the people of Tai Tokerau, Northland. 'Hāruru te Reinga', the traditional Northland song follows.
An unidentified Italian youth sings 'Vivere' ('Let's live!'), a popular song of the time (8:01) --
Captain Matarēhua Monty Wikiriwhi (Te Arawa) of B Company speaks on behalf of the Company.
Two songs are sung: ‘Te Arawa’, describing the arrival of the tribal waka at Maketu, and ‘Haere rā ngā hoia e’ (‘Farewell you soldiers’).
'Te rēo powhiri' ('The voice of greetings') to the tune of 'You are my sunshine', composed by Jimmie Davis, and 'Te Arawa e' about tribal identity. (Moderate surface noise). 8'02"
Major Wi Pewhairangi Reedy sends greetings to Ngāti Porou and a special message to Sir Apirana Ngata hoping that Christmas 1943 will be the last one that the Battalion spends overseas before returning home. 'Ngāti Porou e', a tribal song follows.
Led by Major Reedy, the men of the C Company perform a tribal haka. 5'40"
Greetings in Māori to the regions which form D Company are next.
A man (identified as Jimmy O'Dwyer) sends greetings in Samoan and mentions the following men: Sammy Churchward, Luis Aspinall, Poe Foster, Eric Henry, Doug Irwin. they send love and sing two songs in Samoan , accompanied by a ukulele. The second song is 'Tofa mai feleni'.
Captain Fred Baker describes the regional composition of the Battalion and introduces Second Lieutenant T. (Riki) Smith who speaks in Māori and performs a song 'Wonderful mother of mine' (9:56) --
Headquarters sing 'Farewell my own true love' in Māori and English. Lt. Awatere speaks in Maori. This is followed by the whole Battalion singing 'Now is the hour/ Pōatarau',' in Māori. (11:14)