Unedited recordings made at the pōwhiri to welcome the men of the (28) Māori Battalion to Ngāruawāhia. A programme of haka, speeches and waiata presented by the people of Waikato-Tainui to welcome back their troops.
There is some commentary in English [probably broadcaster Leo Fowler] and also some in te reo Māori by an unidentified announcer. Several speakers are translated simultaneously into English or te reo Māori. Several speakers are not identified.
[N.B. There is an echo in some of the recordings due to a loudspeaker on the marae being recorded as well as the audio coming directly from the microphone. There are also occasional speed fluctuations due to technical problems at the time of recording.]
Two haka followed by the pōwhiri tangi for the men of the Battalion who have not returned.
Commentary in English explaining the significance of the tangi, the elderly women keening to express their grief for the men who fell overseas. the announcer describes the returning men standing on one corner of the paepae with downcast heads. The carved flagpole is flying King Koroki's flag.
Whaikōrero: Peha Wharekura (Huntly Pā) and kīnaki.
Whaikōrero: Tiaki Hira (Port Waikato), kīnaki and haka.
Whaikōrero: Rōre Eruti (Moerangi), kīnaki.
Whaikōrero: Mutu Kapa (Tuakau), kīnaki
Kaikōrero: Reverend Canon Clarke (Karaka)
Kaikōrero: Reverend [Ngapaka] Kukutai (Te Kuiti) [End cut off.]
Pōwhiri of welcome to the Minister of Defence Hon. Frederick Jones, at Turangawaewae Marae. Commentary in English [probably by Leo Fowler] describing the hongi and harirū.
Excerpt of speech by an unidentified English speaker with translation into te reo Māori [possibly the Mayor of Hamilton?], expressing pleasure at seeing the men of the Battalion "back amongst us."
Unidentified kaikōrero Māori.
Unidentified kaikōrero Māori.
Pōwhiri continues - haka with brass band in background. English commentary on the wero with Hon. Mr Jones, Colonel Ferris and officers of the Battalion making up the official party. Māori commentary on the pōwhiri which is taking place in front of the wharenui Mahinaarangi. Whaikōrero: Rōre Eruti welcomes the official party.
Waiata:
Me wehi ki te Atua, me whakahōnore te Kīngī Korokī
Taiaha - song of welcome
Aue te māmae me te aroha - action song by a Raglan party