The Governor General Sir Bernard Freyberg addresses the gathering and makes the opening dedication of the Uepohatu memorial hall in Ruatoria in 1947.
The marae hosted events held on the 12th and 13th of September that included cultural competitions with local school children 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.
A reunion of ex-service people (including members of the Maori Battalion) was also held.
At the Investiture 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.
Sound file from Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, ref: 43116. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright.
Image: Porikapa Awatere accompanies Governor-General Sir Bernard Freyberg at the opening of Uepohatu War Memorial Hall on 13 September 1947. Alexander Turnbull Library. Ref: A004827.
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