Uepohatu opening: Song 'Nga whare paa'

'Nga whare pa' sung by the Hikurangi Party at the reunion of ex-service people at Uepohatu Marae in 1947. See the programme here.

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.

Transcription

Pohiritia ra nga morehu
Te iwi, tangihia 
Te mamae e, me te pouri nui 
Tenei ra kua mahea

Chorus:
Hoki mai ra! 
Hoki mai ra ki te kainga 
E tatari atu nei ki a koutou 

Nga tau roa i ngaro atu ai. Te aroha
e ngau kino nei i ahau 

Kaea: Tahi, rua, toru, wha! (aue)

Verse 2
Nga whare pa tenei huakina 

(E rere!) Te iwi kia koa 
Kua hoki mai nga tamariki toa 
Ki te ao ora

Repeat chorus:

Aue! Hoki mai ra! 
Aue! Hoki mai ra ki te kainga 
E tatari atu nei ki a koutou 

Nga tau roa i ngaro atu ai. Te aroha
e ngau kino nei i ahau 

Hi!