Pou whenua recognising the 28th Māori Battalion unveiled in Waitohi, Picton
Sunday, 8 November 2020
A pou whenua in a “significant spot” in Waitohi/Picton honours the memory of Māori soldiers who fought overseas.
The pou recognises the fallen, and the survivors, of the 28th Maori Battalion, D Company who fought in World War II.
The pou is part of a Te Tauihu – top of the south – project that aims to have something recognising soldiers in each of the major centres, including Nelson, Blenheim, Motueka and Golden Bay.
Event MC Watson Ohio, of Te Ātiawa, said the day was about love, and not forgetting the Māori who went to war.
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“Sometimes they’re [Māori soldiers] overlooked. This is to make sure we honour them, and the region honours them, and the country honours them and their families,” Ohio said.
“I think it’s also a time for us and for our people to be informed and appreciate them.”
Ohio grew up in Waikawa, but now lived in Hamilton.
“My role is really just to come in and support the honouring of company D, to support the families, and honour their legacy by making sure we look after all of their visitors, and other people in the wider community,” he said.
The pou whenua, which is on Waitohi's foreshore, was unveiled on Saturday, in front of at least 200 people.
“It’s a significant spot, and an important spot, it’s prevalent. It’s for everyone to enjoy, those in the region and those who visit the region,” Watson said.
“When they ask; ‘What’s that?’ they can go and have a read, and they will be richer for it.
“I think today’s about celebrating the people in the Māori Battalion, company D, but it’s also about celebrating each other, celebrating as Māori and celebrating as a wider Marlborough top of the south community. We have to take these opportunities to celebrate together.'
The 28th Māori Battalion D company Te Tauihu committee chairman Lawrence MacDonald said the work put in by the committee and those who carved the pou, had “culminated into something that really stands out”.
“Talking to one or two of the people that came today, they’re quite happy to have been there to see such a thing, and they think visually now it’s beautiful,” he said.
A new concrete pad still to be finished would enhance the pou even more, MacDonald said.
“The other thing that we’re thinking about is putting up a little placard to explain each character who’s on there, so it enlightens people a wee bit more,” MacDonald said.
The pou whenua has four sides, and was carved by master carver John Mutu, alongside Ronald Petley, Hayden Parata-Ryland and Syd Eru.
On one side was Tūmatauenga, the atua (god) for war, Petley said.
Te Ātiawa leaders Tohu Kākahi and Te Whiti-o-Rongomai were on the opposite side to Tūmatauenga.
On the other sides were leaders Ropoama Te One and Te Manu Toheroa, of Te Ātiawa.
Ropoama Te One was Te Ātiawa chief in 1850, when the New Zealand Government purchased Waitohi and the tribe was relocated to Waikawa.
The 28th Māori Battalion was one of the most celebrated and decorated units in the New Zealand forces by the time World War II ended.
The battalion's D Company was made up of men from South Auckland, Waikato, Taranaki, Whanganui, Manawatū, and the whole of the South Island.
Names of the fallen soldiers were listed and placed on the concrete base of the pou.
Atop the pou was a flag pole, used to raise the 28th battalion's flag or flags of the nations where the Battalion fought or served.
Golden Bay and Nelson had already erected waharoa, or entrances, at pā sites as part of the project.