Māori Battalion A Company to fly their flag at Waitangi Treaty Grounds on Anzac Day

The last surviving member of the 28th Maori Battalion, Sir Robert Gillies. Photo / Andrew Warner

The 28th Maori Battalion A Company flag will fly high tomorrow on the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

The Waitangi National Trust with the 28 Māori Battalion Taitokerau Association (A Coy), are hosting an Anzac Day Commemoration Service at the Upper Treaty Grounds.

The 28th (Māori) Battalion has a special connection with the Waitangi Treaty Grounds as the soldiers were present at the Centennial of the Treaty Signing in 1940 before going to war in Africa and Europe.

This year’s programme begins at 4pm with poppy making for tamariki. At 5pm the Anzac Service starts the a parade up the Nias Track by the Leadership Academy of A Company, followed by He Tikanga Karakia He Tohu Whakamaharatanga / Anzac Day Commemorative Service in front of Te Whare Rūnanga. A Field of Remembrance consisting of 569 memorial crosses with the names of Māori service personnel killed in action and buried overseas was laid on April 19 and will remain in place for visitors to view post-Anzac Day.

It is hoped toanga (treasures) like this photo taken at Monte Cassino in 1943 will be included in a proposed book documenting B Company Maori Battalion.

The last surviving member of the 28 (Māori) Battalion, Tā Robert Gillies, will present to the nation the 28 (Māori) Battalion Campaign and Battle Honours Memorial flag with the Battalion’s 42 Campaign and Battles Honours at Te Rau Aroha Museum of the Price of Citizenship where it will rest as a monument to the battalion’s fallen hōia who never returned home.

Anzac Day acknowledges the contributions of all New Zealanders’ during times of war. Men, women and children all played their part either on the front line or on the home front supporting those who went to war while ensuring the country, marae, and whānau were in the best shape possible.

Kiwis across Aotearoa will gather in their thousands to pay their respects.

Chairman of the Waitangi National Trust Pita Tipene said “We feel honoured to be able to host this special Anzac Day Commemoration with Tā Robert Gillies presenting the 28 (Māori) Battalion Campaign and Battle Honours Memorial flag. A special thanks go to 28 Māori Battalion Taitokerau Association, Te Kāpehu Whetū, The Leadership Academy of A Company and The Fields of Remembrance Trust who have all been instrumental in helping this commemoration to take place”.

The Anzac Day Service at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds is a free public event. The gates at Hobson Memorial at the Upper Treaty Grounds open at 4pm. Kai is available for purchase before and after the service.