Pōneke

In English radio announcer Wiremu Parker introduces the start of the pōwhiri broadcast, explaining Māori protocol to listeners. In some of these recordings he can be heard giving descriptions of activities not apparent to the listener.

Parker had an excellent command of both English and Māori languages and in 1943 was appointed as the first Māori news broadcaster to be commissioned after being recommended by Māori MPs of the day. He remained active in broadcasting and journalism until his passing in 1986.

Collection reference 5444
Year 1946
Credits Announcer: Wiremu Parker

Kīngi Tahiwi was the Master of Ceremonies at the pōwhiri on Aotea Quay and introduces the speakers. He is heard here telling photographers to respect the tangi and not photograph the lamenting people. He was also a grieving parent. His son Pilot Officer Kingi Tahiwi Jr, a well-known Wellington radio announcer, was lost whiile serving with the R.A.F. 

Tahiwi was educated at Ōtaki state school and Te Aute College. His proficiency in English and Māori saw him appointed as an interpreter and soon landed roles as a translator in the legal sector as well as interpreting for visiting dignitaries and politicians including the Duke of Gloucester during the 1934 visit. He also censored letters written in Māori from soldiers of the 28th Māori Battalion during World War Two.

Collection reference 5444
Year 1946
Credits Master of Ceremonies: Kīngi Tahiwi, Announcer: Wiremu Parker

The battalion hymn Auē e Ihu is led by Bill Kepa before Padre Wi Te Tau Huata leads the benediction at the beginning of the welcome ceremony.

Huata departed for Egypt with the 10th reinforcements in 1943 with the rank of Captain. At times he was known to walk about without a helmet during the shelling. Other duties saw him as father-confessor to soldiers regardless of their denomination, captain of the battalion rugby team, organising concerts, leading church parades as well as facilitating prayers and hymns prior to engaging the enemy.

As an Anglican clergyman Huata was a third generation minister following in the footsteps of his father Hemi and grandfather Tamihana. His schooling began in Mohaka, Frasertown and Turiroa eventually entering Te Aute College in 1933 aged 16 undertaking theological studies until 1938.

Collection reference 5444
Year 1946
Credits Prayer: Wi Te Tau Huata, Hymn: Bill Kepa

As representative of Pōneke tangata whenua, Īhāia Puketapu is the first kaikōrero to welcome the whānau home from abroad. The waiata tangi Rere ana e te iwi i te mura o te ahi to support his kōrero is given by members of Te Āti Awa and Taranaki tribes.

Puketapu was a Te Āti Awa leader in the wider Wellington District. At age 19 he was sent to train in ancient Taranaki teachings and philosophies under Te Whiti o Rongomai and other elders from Parihaka.

Collection reference 5444
Year 1946
Credits Speaker: Īhāia Puketapu, Master of Ceremonies: Kīngi Tahiw, Announcer: Wiremu Parker

Kipa Roera, welcomes the troops home on behalf of Ngāti Raukawa. His kōrero is supported by Ngāti Pōneke Young Māori Club, lead by Pirihia Heketa, M.B.E.

Roera was steeped in the traditions of his Ngāti Raukawa iwi and was very familiar with their histories and stories. He is described as a fiery person showing a fierce pride and competency in oratory as demonstrated in his delivery.

Collection reference 5444
Year 1946
Credits Speaker: Kipa Roera, Singers: Ngāti Poneke Young Māori Club, Pirihia Heketa, Master of Ceremonies: Kīngi Tahiwi, Announcer: Wiremu Parker

Tohunga Toroa Ngātauerua was from Ngāti Tū hapū of Ngāruahinerangi iwi. Raised and taught in the wānanga of old, he spent time at Parihaka studying under the prophets Te Tohu Kakahi and Te Whiti o Rongomai. Knowledgeable in ancient lore, rituals and the oral traditions of the Taranaki people, he was eloquent in both Pākehā and te reo Māori.

It is because of this expertise that Toroa was invited to undertake the task of welcoming home the 28th Māori Battalion and remove the tapu from the returning soldiers. This was considered a high honour among the people of Ngāruahinerangi and was greatly celebrated at the time.

Collection reference 5444
Year 1946
Credits Speaker: Toroa Ngātauerua, Master of Ceremonies: Kīngi Tahiwi

Hepi Hoani Te Heuheu delivers his mihi and then leads the haka Ko te aea o ia rangi

Te Heuheu descended through a long line of rangatira from Ngāti Tūwharetoa. He was their recognised leader having inherited the role when his father died in 1944. Serving his people on several fronts Heuheu represented the best interests of Ngāti Tūwharetoa helping to build a strong economic base in The Tūwharetoa Trust Board.

Collection reference 5444
Year 1946
Credits Speaker: Hepi Hoani Te Heuheu, Master of Ceremonies: Kīngi Tahiwi

Kanapu Haerehuka of Ngāti Whakaue represents the Wainui-ā-Rua, Ngāti Apa and Rātana people of the Whanganui district.

He walks away from the microphone and his words are lost to the ether and there are only snippets of what he is saying. Announcer Wiremu Parker describes his actions and oratory style. He can be heard leading the Whanganui district haka Ripi Ripia Hae Haea then a haka group of Wainui-ā-Rua perform the waiata–a-ringa Pā Mai.

Collection reference 5444
Year 1946
Credits Speaker: Kanapu Haerehuka, Announcer: Wiremu Parker

Captain Waipaina Matehe Awarau retired from the war early due to injury. Here he speaks with aroha and a certain familiarity to his comrades on behalf of Ngāti Porou. He also speaks directly to those who fell overseas.

Awarau served in the 28th Māori Battalion departing with the 5th Reinforcements, he was wounded three times.

Collection reference 5444
Year 1946
Credits Speaker: Waipaina Matehe Awarau, Master of Ceremonies: Kīngi Tahiwi

Tiaki Omana, MP for Eastern Māori, speaks to the hui on behalf of his constituency.

Omana, also known as Jack Ormond, was largely home schooled first at Mahia then at the country estate of Wallingford near Porangahau. Moving on to a private prep school till aged 14 he then studied at Christ’s College in Christchurch. During World War One he was a Lieutenant with the New Zealand Māori (Pioneer) Battalion. In the 1930s he became involved with the Rātana Movement and was persuaded to stand as the member for Eastern Māori. He was unsuccessful in the 1935 and 1938 election, then in 1943 ousted Apirana Ngata who had held the seat since 1905.

Collection reference 5444
Year 1946
Credits Speaker: Tiaki Omana, Speaker: Tiaki Omana, Announcer: Wiremu Parker

Tapihana Paraire Paikea speaks on behalf of the Northern Māori electoral district.

Paikea was elected to the Northern Māori seat as the Labour candidate at the age of 23, replacing his father who passed away in April 1943. The focus of his maiden speech to the house concentrated on social and economic achievements during the war effort as well cultural pride and equality between Māori and Pākehā. He was no stranger to raising the issue of Māori socio-economic development.

Collection reference 5444
Year 1946
Credits Speaker: Tapihana Paraire Paikea, Master of Ceremonies: Kīngi Tahiwi

Eruera Tirikātene speaks for the Southern Māori Electorate.

Tirikātene was born at Rakiwhakaputa Pā near Kaiapoi. He spent long periods of time with his great uncle Aperahama Te Aika at Tūāhiwi learning whakapapa and traditional Ngāi Tahu lore. Educated at Kaiapoi Native and Kaiapoi District High Schools, he resented being punished for speaking Māori and being forced to consider it a second language. He travelled with the 2nd contingent for World War One attaining the rank of Sergeant and was noted for his bravery carrying wounded men on his back while “under fire”. He was elected Māori Member for Southern Māori in a by-election on the death of the incumbent member Tuiti Makitanara in 1932.

Collection reference 5444
Year 1946
Credits Speaker: Eruera Tirikātene, Announcer: Wiremu Parker

The battalion’s Returning Commander, Lieutenant Colonel James Hēnare responds to the words of welcome on behalf of the 28th Māori Battalion.

Hēnare enlisted as a volunteer for the World War Two effort and was soon commissioned for officer training at Trentham in 1940. He departed with the 5th Reinforcements serving in North Africa and Italy. By 1942 he had risen to Captain and by September 1944 attained the rank of Major. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and led his soldiers back as the Returning Commanding Officer of the 28th Māori Battalion. His contributions to civilian life were as impressive holding several influential positions on tribal executives and committees serving Māori people. He had a keen interest in education and was a founding member of the Kōhanga Reo movement.

Collection reference 5444
Year 1946
Credits Speaker: Lt. Col James Hēnare, Master of Ceremonies: Kīngi Tahiwi