Uepohatu opening: Arohaina mai ra

Tuini Ngawai’s beautiful tribute to the soldiers of the 28th Maori Battalion performed on the second day of events 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

Arohaina mai 
E te Kingi nui 
Manaakitia rā 
O tamariki e 
Horahia mai rā 
Te marie nui ki te 
Hokowhitu a Tū toa 

(First verse repeats)

Ngā mamaetanga 
Me ngā pouri nui 
Pēhia rawatia 
Ki raro rā e
Mē anga atu 
Ka karanga ki te Matua 
Aue aroha mai 

(Second verse repeats)

Ngā hapū katoa 
O Aotearoa e 
Tau awhitia rā 
Ko tōku rongo 
Kia mau te tihe 
Mauria ora 
A ngā tūpuna 
Hei tohu wehi e

(Third verse repeats)