Film by Tolaga Bay Area School student Hine Parata-Walker of the reunion of the 28th Māori Battalion held at Te Poho ō Rāwiri Marae, Turanga on 21-23 March 2008. The film includes interviews with Dr Apirana Mahuika (youngest brother of Nepia Mahuika), Sir Henare Ngata and Nolan Raihania. Tini Glover (Tautini Moana Karawa) is seen speaking on the marae.

Māori Battalion Reunion 2008

The 28th Māori Battalion Association (Gisborne Branch) hosted the National Reunion at Te Poho ō Rāwiri Marae on Easter Weekend 2008. This was one of the marae from which soldiers of the Battalion marched out during the Second World War, so there was great historical significance having the reunion there. Soldiers of the A Company (Gumdiggers), B Company (Penny Divers) and D Company (Ngāti Walkabout) arrived at Tairāwhiti and were greeted by members of the C Company (Ngā Kaupoi).

Out of the 3,600 men who served in the 28 Māori Battalion in the Second World War, 65 years later there are less than 20 C Company veterans left and no more than 60 Māori Battalion veterans throughout the country. C Company was made up of volunteers from the region between Tōrere and Muriwai, there were close to 1,000 men in the Māori Battalion from this district. Later in the year, Tairāwhiti hosted another big gathering of C Company veterans, whānau and friends at Te Poho ō Rāwiri Marae to launch the book – Ngā Tama Toa: The Price of Citizenship written by Monty Soutar.