New Zealand Lottery Grants Board Distribution of Funds

Photo: GISBORNE HERALD
Bay of Plenty / Gisborne Community
MAORI BATTALION
MARCHES AGAIN
The bravery of the Ma- ori Battalion is
legendary. The whole of New Zealand feels
pride in their exploits.
Their story has been told in Nga Tama Toa:
The price of citizenship, the fruit of 14 years
of research by a large team of descendants
of the Battalion’s C Company, drawn from
East Coast iwi.
Nga Taonga A Nga Tama Toa Trust, the driver
of this vast project, launched the book in
a manner befitting the mana of its subjects.
With funding help of $20,000 from the Bay
of Plenty / Gisborne Community Committee,
the trust was able to stage a memorable
event and to assist some of the old soldiers,
most of whom are infirm or disabled, in
getting to the ceremony.
A crowd of 5000 gathered in Gisborne for
this taonga’s send-off into the world. People
from all over the Tairawhiti region came
together with the veterans and their wha- nau,
and with descendants of the soldiers who
never returned.
As the parade of soldiers and wha- nau
carrying photos of their lost loved ones
arrived at Te Poho O Rawiri Marae, a mass
powhiri and haka began. The photos were
placed in kete on the marae steps.
The book launch was a landmark event
for Ma- ori communities all around the
rohe. It was a focus for regional Ma- ori,
community initiatives and provided
strong leadership models for young
people. Relationships with Pakeha
were strengthened by the inclusion of
non-Ma- ori veterans and the gift of a
record of the history of the area.
The celebration at Te Poho O Rawiri
Marae, for what was possibly the
final salute of this elite group
of World War II veterans, was
especially poignant. Tears fell from
many eyes.
Photo: GISBORNE HERALD
22 Lottery Grants Record 2008–2009 Regional Community Committees
Photo: GISBORNE HERALD