'Kia ora Porourangi' performed by an unidentified local group 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
Kia ora Porourangi e
Nau nei te karanga
Nga iwi haere mai!
Kia ora Porourangi e
Nau nei te karanga
Nga iwi haere mai!
Tae mai to reo pohiri e
Haere mai e nga iwi
Tina e tu nei e!
Hauru ana te whenua
Mataku ana mai
Te whakaeke o nga ope e
Porourangi kia kaha ra
Aue Hi!
Anei o iwi e tau nei
Manaakitia ra te Uepohatu
Tahi, rua, toru, wha! Hi!
Speaker: Whakapotae?
Sound file from Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, ref: 43116. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright.
Image Tukutuku panels for the Uepohatu Hall, Ruatoria - Photograph taken by Owen Johnson. Mackrell, Brent :Photographs relating to Poverty Bay. Ref: PA1-o-1038-20. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/23108856
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