U series - Māori Battalion open air concert. [Parts 1 - 7]

An open air night time concert by the Māori Battalion is introduced by Norman Johnston of the Mobile Broadcasting Unit. He describes the concert venue as being "somewhere in the desert". ( Actually El Diyura near El Alamein, Egypt.)

The only light is one hurricane kerosene lantern and the stage is a piece of sloping ground.

A choir from B Company sing an item 'Te ope tuatahi' with an introduction by Private Tiaki Tapiri, followed by 'Awhinatia mai mātou'.

Next, Sonny Waretini (Rangi Te Puru Sydney Sewell) sings "He wawatā."

Norman Johnsto introduces the last of the items by B Company: 'Moe mai e hine' and 'E pari rā.'

Next C Company of the Māori Battalion presents a series of haka of Ngāti Porou origin. followed by an action song, "Aue, te mamae nō te aroha"

A Company of the Māori Battalion present greetings and songs to people in Northland. While the men sing 'Koutou katoa rā' and "Haere, haere ra." an unidentified man greets the people of Te Tai Tokerau in English.

He then introduces men one by one, who send greetings in English and te reo Māori. Identified speakers are Waaka Rewa (Northern Wairoa) and Alf Pitman (Whangarei)

While the concert party sing 'Me ata tukutuku' and 'Po ata rau' in the background the following men send greetings: Maru Wharerau (Hokianga), Ben Porter (Kaeo) and Maurice Robson (Mangonui and Kaitaia.).

Norman Johnston signs off.