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Waiata: 'Arohaina mai'
Arohaina mai, the prayer song composed by the late Tuini Ngawai for the Māori Battalion, a song which the Battalion took with it to the different theatres in World War II.
One of those theatres which has become the centre of controversy, was the attack on the monastery at Monte Casino in Italy. Many books and papers have been written about this whether or not the attack was justified.
The latest research into this is now being undertaken by the television company Granada of Great Britain, who is making its version of the attack. Granada has appointed as one of its advisors Mr Monty Wikiriwhi, who at the time of the battle of Monti Casino was a twenty five year old with the Māori Battalion 'B' Company.
Monty (Te Arawa, Tuhourangi) is directly related to Guide Sophie who was very prominent at Tarawera before the eruption of 1886. Now in his sixties he leaves Auckland to revisit a site which was to have a great bearing on his life.
Carol Greensmith interviews Monty before he leaves Auckland for Italy. His kōrero is interspersed with songs from the Battalion whilst they were in Maadi.
Kaikōrero: Monty Wikiriwhi.