Unedited recordings made at the opening of Ōmarumutu War Memorial Hall near Opōtiki, by the Minister of Māori Affairs Ralph Hanan. (Tape 1 of 4)
(Several minutes of general atmosphere at the start of the tape)
Then broadcaster Alf Sanft interviews Mrs Helen Simpson of Opōtiki about the hall which was opened at Ōmarumutu today. She appears to have been a school teacher at Ōmarumutu and speaks of watching the community create the tukutuku panels for the hall which is a war memorial to men killed in three wars.
He next interviews John Grace who explains the carvings within the hall. He congratulates the people of Whakatōhea and other iwi involved in its creation..
Steve Wātene is interviewed briefly about the significance of such a building.
Speeches at the opening:
Pita Baker speaks at length in English about the concerns of Māori today - cultural identity and land confiscations and alienation. He makes particular reference to the Māori Affairs Act of 1953, which he says risks making Māori landless.
Major Te Reiwhati Vercoe speaks in te reo Māori and English. He also speaks about land loss and pays tribute to Pita Baker for bringing up the matter. (Incomplete. His speech continues on Part 2)