Group from Hinerupe sing 'He reo pohiri' to the tune of 'You are my sunshine' at Uepohatu marae in 1947.
The events held at Uepohatu on the 12th and 13th of September included cultural competitions with local school children, a reunion of ex-service people (including members of the Maori Battalion), a concert and the opening of the Uepohatu War Memorial Hall. The hall was built to commemorate East Coast soldiers who died during the two World Wars.
At an investiture ceremony held on the second day, seventeen decorations were presented to servicemen and women who had served abroad and on the home front.
The gathering was an important one, attended by thousands including the Prime Minister Peter Fraser, the Leader of the Opposition Sidney Holland and other members of Parliament. Sir Bernard Freyberg, the Governor General opened the hall and unveiled two memorial tablets inside.
Transcription
Kaea: He reo pohiri, whiua!
Tahi, rua, toru, wha!
Katoa: He reo pohiri
No Hinerupe
Kia koutou e nga hoia
Kua hui mai nei
Nau mai ra e nga iwi
Ki Uepohatu
Haere haere mai ra
Ki roto i tenei wa
O te maungarongo
Me harakoa ra
Te iwi e
Kua mutu te whawhai
Nau ra morehu
Kua pumautia te Wikitoria
(Repeat verses)
Toru, wha! Hi!
Sound file from Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, ref: 43116. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright.
Image Nga Taonga a Nga Tama Toa Trust
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