WEEKLY REVIEW 232: MĀORI BATTALION RETURNS

On 23 January 1946, the 28th Māori Battalion returned to New Zealand on board the Dominion Monarch. A pōwhiri for the men is held on Aotea Quay in Wellington, a marae for the occasion.

Acting Prime Minister, Mr Walter Nash, Members of Parliament, and former commanders of the Battalion were present. Ngāti Pōneke performed, haka, the poi and action songs during the happy occasion.

Preparations for a large hāngi were done earlier in the day at Takapūwāhia, Porirua, for the hākari which was to follow.

More than 7,000 Māori soldiers fought with distinction overseas but suffered a terrible casualty rate of five in seven. Those who lost their lives were honoured on their return home. One such soldier was Gunner Jack Seymour. His memorial stone was unveiled at Kūkū Ōhau, between Ōtaki and Levin. At Tūrangawaewae marae a pōwhiri for soldiers returning home to Tainui was held.

The Māori Battalion volunteered two days after the war began and remained voluntary throughout. This was an unusual achievement. The Battalion fought in Greece, Crete, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and Italy.

He rekoata mō te hokinga mai o te Rōpū Rua Tekau mā Waru mai i ngā papa pakanga i te rā rua tekau mā toru o Kohitātea, te tau 1946 ki te wāpu o Aotea kei Pōneke. I muri ake o te haka pōwhiri ka haere rātou ki te hākari. Kātahi ka hokia rātou ki ōu rātou kāinga huri noa i te motu.