E te whānau, this Anzac Day you are invited to attend a special virtual remembrance service for the 28th Māori Battalion of Te Tauihu.
Lawrence MacDonald (Kurahaupō), Chairman of the 28th Maori Battalion, says all whānau are welcome.
“Every year a special day is set aside for New Zealanders to honour and commemorate those men and women who left our shores to answer the call to safeguard and maintain the freedom and safety we as a nation enjoy.”
One of those rangatira to be remembered is Uncle Lawrence’s father - Rewi Maniapoto MacDonald (pictured at the top of this post.
Watch the video to hear his incredible story.
Uncle Lawrence says his Dad was a simple man, who came home to Blenheim after the war and just got on with life.
“He was typical of those wanting to return to his normal life without the horror of war – to forge a better life for his children and for future generations.
“Thank you, Dad, we will always remember you and your unselfish ways, you have been a great model to your whanau.”
To join the remembrance service
Simply click on the Zoom link below. The remembrance service will open online at 9.45am.
ZOOM LINK: https://zoom.us/j/91812723793
Order of service
9.45am: Zoom meeting opens
9.55am: Kia whakamōhio te wā ki te iwi (Barney Thomas)
From 10am:
- Ngā Taonga Pūoro (Keri Tākao and Gaynor Rikihana-Tākao)
- Karanga ki te wairua o ngā tūpuna (Melanie McGregor)
- Te hikinga o te Haki mā – 28th Battalion of Te Tauihu Flag (Shane Graham and Justin Carter)
- He mihi whakamaumahara (Shane Graham)
- Waiata – Piko Nei te Matenga (Virtual recording – Tātou katoa on mute)
- Laying of the Wreath (x2) - (Shane Graham, Mike Johnson and Justin Carter)
- Roll of Honour (Melanie McGregor, Barney Thomas)
- Ode of Remembrance
E kore rātou e kaumātuatia
Pēnei i a tātou kua mahue nei
E kore hoki rātou e ngoikore
Ahakoa pehea ingā āhuatanga o te wāi te hekenga atu o te rā
Tae noa kia te aranga mai i te ata
Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou
Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou (Mātou katoa – muted)
They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,
We will remember them
We will remember them (Mātou katoa – muted)
The Last Post – Bugle/Reveille: 1-minute silence
(Virtual Recording to play - Tātou katoa on mute)
Karakia Whakakapi (Shane Graham)
Hīmene – He Honore (Whānau de Thierry)
This concludes the virtual service. We thank you for joining us. Ma te Atua koutou, hei manaaki, hei tiaki. Pai Mārire.
Marking Anzac Day at your whare
All communities are encouraged to stand at dawn on Saturday, April 25 at 6am and remember both the sacrifices that have been made and continue to be made by our servicemen and servicewomen who are called upon to serve Aotearoa during times of war, conflict and disaster.
Initiated by the New Zealand Defence Force and the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association, the Stand at Dawn campaign calls for New Zealanders worldwide to take a moment to remember fallen servicemen.
People can join at 6am on Saturday, by standing at their letterbox, front door, lounge rooms or other places while staying within your bubble.
Live to air on RNZ National
You can also tune into RNZ National, listen live on the internet for the official dawn service broadcast commencing at 6am.
To listen, click here: www.rnz.co.nz