Sculpture remembers marae soldiers

A new sculpture at Huria Marae representing soldiers who fought overseas and returned will be unveiled on Anzac Day. Pictured are kuia Merewhina Bennett and kaumatua Tamati Tata. Photo/John Borren

Seagulls fly out to sea and return again ...

And like the seagull, the soldiers of Huria Marae in last century's wars all left and returned safely.

A monument to the soldiers has been carved by Whare Thompson for the marae in the shape of three karoro (seagulls), which will be unveiled on Anzac Day.

The monument was inspired by a Huria Marae waiata tangi (lament) about the way the seagull lives and functions, Huria Trust executive officer Sylvia Willison said.

This is a time to respect and remember those who fought for us as New Zealanders, and it's a family day as well

Sylvia Willison

"It was very symbolic for us because all our men that went to war, from World War I to Malaya, returned. Every single one of them returned after the war they served in."

Scroll below to see what Anzac Day means to Tauranga people

The stone for the sculpture was supplied with the help of Paul Adams of Carrus Corporation and Hinuera Natural Stone. The rest of the funding for the sculpture came from gifts and grants from various local bodies and organisations, as well as funds contributed by other iwi groups in the Tauranga area.

Mrs Willison said the trust had passed its ideas on to Mr Thompson, who put his "artist's flair" to it.

The unveiling of the sculpture will be held at the beginning of the Tauranga Moana dawn service on Saturday after the veterans march on to the marae and a karakia.

After the ceremony, wreaths will be laid at the new monument and this will be the beginning of a new tradition at the marae whenever it hosts the Tauranga Moana services.

"We're looking forward to an awesome day, one we will remember for a long time," Mrs Willison said.

"This is a time to respect and remember those who fought for us as New Zealanders, and it's a family day as well.

'We're just so happy to be a part of it."

As well as the monument, the marae had created a photo gallery in the whare tipuna (ancestral house) using pictures supplied by whanau.

Mrs Willison said this year's service was expected to attract about 500 people.

We went to Tauranga's CBD to ask people in the street what Anzac Day meant to them

''I appreciate what they did. They sacrifieced everything for us to be here.'' John Enticott, 47 Pyes Pa

''A lot actually. It means as I was bringing up two boys it might've been them sent to war and how unbelievably ghastly that would be.'' Sheelah Leary, 73 Maketu

''For me, my dad went to war so it's a day to remember his sacrifice and be thankful for the lifestyle we have today.'' Judy Atkins, 62 Tauranga

''I had a lot of relatives in the war so for me it's about remembering family.'' Ann Hill, 80 Bethlehem