Song entitled Ngarimu as performed by a group at the investiture ceremony on June 4, 1943 at Ruatoria.
(Site editors note: Some static throughout the recording)
Ngarimu Victoria Cross Investiture
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.
Transcript
Leader: Toru, wha
Haere mai ra, e nga morehu
Aue te aroha, te mamae!
Mauria mai nga tini honore
O te Hokowhitu toa, e.
Verse repeated
Te Moana nui a Kiwa Ngarimu!
Maranga mai ra, e te tau!
Arahina mai ra nga morehu nei
Ki runga i nga marae nei.
Verse repeated
Tenei te iwi nui e tangi nei
Mo nga tini hoa kua wehe nei.
Titiro kau noa ra, e tama ma,
Kei whea koutou e ngaro nei.
Verse repeated
Sound file from Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright.
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