WEEKLY REVIEW 112: RUATORIA...CEREMONY IN HONOUR OF MĀORI VC

At Whakarua Park in Ruatōria, Ngāti Porou and Te Whānau-a-Apanui host thousands of manuhiri who have gathered to see Mr and Mrs Hamuera Ngarimu receive the Victoria Cross on behalf of their son, Te Moananui-a-Kiwa of the 28th Māori Battalion. A former Te Aute College pupil, Te Moananuia-Kiwa fought and died in Tunisia, 1943.

Intermittent rain did not dampen the spirits of the 8,000 Māori and Pākehā who came to take part in performances and activities during the ceremony. Among them were members of the Māori Battalion and over 300 school students.

A whaikōrero on behalf of Ngāti Porou is given by Lt Ngarimu’s aunt, Mrs Materoa Reedy.

Hāngi preparations take place to feed the large crowds and various Māori groups perform the poi on a makeshift stage set up for the occasion.

The Governor General presents the Victoria Cross to Maraea and Hamuera Ngarimu, who in turn makes a brief speech of thanks to the manuhiri.

Presentations are also made to other Māori Battalion members: Lt Col C M Bennett, F Baker, G F Berkley?, M T McCrae, Major Royal, Capt W Porter and Lt J Pikaroa Bennett.

He rekoata mō te tuku pine a te Rīpeka Wikitōria murimate mō Te Moananui-a-Kiwa Ngārimu. I whakatū tēnei kaupapa i Whakarua Park, Ruatōria.