The Ngarimu Victoria Cross Investiture Meeting and Reception to His Excellency the Governor General, 6 October 1943.
On 4 June 1943 news was broadcast world-wide that 2/Lt Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu had been awarded the Victoria Cross for his role in the attack on Point 209 at Tebaga Gap, Tunisia. It was the sixth VC to be awarded to a New Zealander in the war, and the first to a Maori soldier.
The public investiture ceremony where the Governor-General presented the award to Mr & Mrs Hamuera Ngarimu was held at Whakarua Park in Ruatoria, Ngarimu’s home town. At the time it was one of the largest and most fully documented Māori gatherings ever held.[1] Despite the rain and mud, 7000 people attended the event, including the Prime Minister and other parliamentarians, Battalion members on furlough, Home Guardsmen and 1300 schoolchildren, who came from all parts of the country. Three hundred performers had been brought together from the Gisborne district alone. Te Whānau-ā-Apanui and Ngāti Porou, led by Sir Apirana Ngata hosted the event that featured five hours of entertainment. Members of the National Film Unit, the official Government photographer - John Pascoe, and the press documented the event. Cameramen from the US Marine Corps also headed to Ruatoria to record the event. Read more about the event here.
The recording of this song was made on the morning of the investiture at Whakarua Park.
Transcript
SSP 9b
Sir AT Ngata: Ae, the next item is on page no.9, in the booklet b Arohaina mai, e te Kingi nui. Applause and excitement, women: Let it go, let it go.
Each verse sung twice.
Arohaina mai, e te Kingi nui Manaakitia ra o tamariki, e! Horahia mai ra te marie nui Ki te Hokowhitu-a-Tu Toa!
Nga mamaetanga me nga pouri nui Pehia rawatia ki raro ra, e; Me anga atu, ka karanga ki Te Matua, Aue! Aroha mai
Nga hapu katoa o Aotearoa, e, Tauawhitia ra ko toku rongo Nga tipuna , he tohu wehi, e! | Great King! Bestow Thy love upon them all; Thy children take into Thy loving care; Spread wide for them Thy mantle of goodwill; Thy blessing on this Warrior Band of Tu.
Our pain and sorrow great and all they be Subdue with patience, though with straining hearts. Turn in your deep distress and call unto The Father, ‘God bestow Thy gracious care!’
Ye many tribes of Aotearoa Cling to the fame, that we have gained in war; Shout, as your fathers did in olden days, ‘Away with evil! Hail, and all is well.’ |
Site editors notes:
- There is intermittent static throughout the audio
Sound file from Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright.
Image reference
Alexander Turnbull Library
PA1-o-1038-09-6
The Tokomaru Bay party led by Tuini Ngawai at the V.C. hui at Ruatoria in 1943 - photograph by Owen Johnson
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