Dedication of Te Reo Hotunui o Te Moana Nui a Kiwa - PACIFIC ISLANDS MEMORIAL Pukeahu National War Memorial Park Saturday 27 March 2021
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Dedication of Te Reo Hotunui o Te Moana Nui a Kiwa PACIFIC ISLANDS MEMORIAL Pukeahu National War Memorial Park Saturday 27 March 2021
Contents
Message from the Prime Minister of New Zealand 4
New Zealand’s military links with the Pacific 6
Order of Ceremony 12
About the Memorial 16
WHAKAAHUATIA A KONEI KIA MAU TŌTORONGA MAI I TE
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PUKEAHU NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL PARK
Message from the Prime Minister
of New Zealand
setting of the Pukeahu National War
Memorial Park. The name of their
design, Te Reo Hotunui o Te Moana nui
a Kiwa – The deep sigh of the Pacific,
perfectly encapsulates the symbolism of
this memorial.
Pacific peoples served with great
courage and spirit, despite facing many
additional hardships in their service,
particularly during the First World War
- including language barriers, and the
extreme toll that exposure to foreign
disease and illness took.
Kia ora koutou.
Their sacrifice must be shared,
We gather today for the dedication of Te
understood and never forgotten.
Reo Hotunui o Te Moana Nui a Kiwa, the
Pacific Islands Memorial. This historic Our bonds with the Pacific today span
event was due to take place in April last culture, history, people, and language.
year, making today’s dedication all the The Pacific Islands Memorial recognises
more special. those connections, strengthening our
relationships into the future.
The Pacific Islands Memorial recognises
the unique bond between Aotearoa
New Zealand and the Pacific Islands,
and acknowledges the service and
sacrifice of Pacific peoples in the
First and Second World Wars, and in Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern
subsequent conflicts around the world. Prime Minister of New Zealand
I hope that it might also serve to raise
awareness amongst New Zealanders of
the significant contribution of Pacific
peoples during these conflicts.
Michel Tuffery MNZM and Herriot
Melhuish O’Neil Architects’ beautiful
design sits perfectly within the sacred
4
New Zealand’s military links
with the Pacific
Aotearoa New Zealand’s connections the New Zealand Pioneer Battalion
Left: Niue and Cook
to Te Moana-nui-ā-Kiwa (the Pacific (combat engineers) in Egypt before Island soldiers on
Ocean) stretch back thousands of years, moving to the Western Front with parade at Narrow
beginning with the remarkable voyaging the NZEF in April 1916. Their health Neck camp in
achievements of the Polynesian people, suffered in the cold northern European Auckland, October
ancestors of these islands’ Māori tangata climate, and by late May more than 1915. Image courtesy
whenua. Later, especially from the 80 per cent of the Niueans had been of Auckland Libraries
late 18th century, European explorers, hospitalised. They were withdrawn from Heritage Collections,
traders and whalers established the Western Front and sent to England, Ref:7-A14557
new Pacific maritime networks, and then returned to New Zealand. The Cook
from 1840 New Zealand became an Islanders remained in Europe until early
important economic centre of Britain’s 1918, when they were redeployed to the
Pacific empire. Middle East, where a second contingent
of 120 Cook Island recruits had already
In 1914 and again in 1941 rivalries
been sent. At least 48 Cook Island and
between European and Asian
Niuean men died as a result of war
empires brought conflict to the Pacific.
service, almost all due to illness.
New Zealand’s opening act of the First
World War was the unopposed capture
In 1914 and again in 1941 rivalries Kiribati and Tuvalu were then part New Zealand’s war effort was again
of the German colony of Samoa in
between European and Asian of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, primarily focused on Europe and the
August 1914 (soon after, Australia seized
empires brought conflict to also under British control. When 25 Middle East, tens of thousands of
the German territories of New Guinea
members of the Gilbert Native Police service personnel served and fought in
and Nauru). New Zealand occupied the Pacific.
volunteered, London referred this the Pacific.
Samoa throughout the war, and
offer to Wellington. These men arrived
governed it afterwards under a League Volunteers from other Pacific territories The main focus of New Zealand’s
in Auckland in July 1918, but like the
of Nations mandate. also served with New Zealand forces, Pacific war effort was the Solomon
Fijians they did not embark for overseas
including some Samoans, Tongans and Islands, where all three services
The main Pacific manpower service before the war’s end.
Norfolk Islanders. When the British saw considerable action. Royal New
contribution to New Zealand’s war
colony of Fiji offered an ethnically mixed Volunteers from New Caledonia and Zealand Navy ships served alongside
effort came from two territories it had
contingent in 1918 London referred the French Polynesia served on the Western American forces, and from late 1942
annexed in 1901 – the Cook Islands
matter to the New Zealand authorities, Front with the French Army. Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF)
and Niue. Both offered men for the
who agreed to take the men. The Fijians fighter and bomber squadrons flew
New Zealand Expeditionary Force During the Second World War much
arrived in Auckland for training in from Guadalcanal. The following year
(NZEF) as soon as news of the war of the western and central Pacific was
August 1918, but the war ended before Guadalcanal was a staging point for
reached the Pacific. A group of 45 Cook the scene of bloody fighting between
they could be sent overseas. men of the New Zealand army’s 3rd
Islanders and 150 Niuean men joined Japanese and Allied forces. While
6 7
Division, who occupied Vella Lavella in the New Zealand armed forces,
and Mono Island. especially the 28th Māori Battalion.
In 1944 the 3rd Division attacked the From 1942 to 1944 New Zealanders were
Japanese-occupied island of Nissan, stationed in New Caledonia, home to
which is now part of Papua New Guinea. the US South Pacific Command, within
New Zealand airmen contributed to which New Zealand forces operated.
the attacks on Japanese forces on New Zealand also supported Tahiti when
Rabaul and the island of Bougainville. it rallied to the Free French cause in
New Zealand civilian merchant seafarers 1940, sending the cruiser HMS Achilles.
also served in the Pacific, and a handful
After the Second World War New
of New Zealand merchant ships were
Zealand continued to maintain close
sunk by German and Japanese raiders
military links with a number of Pacific
and submarines.
territories. Between 1951 and 1956, 40
At the start of the war New Zealand had New Zealand officers served with a Fijian
a network of over 50 coastwatching battalion that was deployed during the
stations spread between Samoa, Tonga, Malayan Emergency. From 1953 to 1977
the Cook Islands, Fiji, the Gilbert and New Zealand provided administrative
Ellice Islands, the Phoenix Islands, and training support and commanding
Tokelau and Fanning Island. These were officers to the Tonga Defence Force.
manned by a mixture of New Zealand
Later, in 1997–98, a New Zealand-
soldiers and civilians, and indigenous
led peacekeeping force was sent to
coastwatchers. In 1942, 17 captured
Bougainville. In recent decades, too,
New Zealand coastwatchers were
New Zealanders of Pacific descent have
executed by the Japanese at Tarawa.
made up an increasingly important part
During the war New Zealand troops of the New Zealand Defence Force.
and RNZAF units were stationed in
Fiji, Western Samoa and Tonga, where
they received valuable support from
the local populations. Fijian troops
(joined by a small number of Tongans)
served alongside New Zealanders in the
Solomon Islands. A number of Samoans,
Tongans and Cook Islanders enlisted
Left: Fijian scouts, Vella Lavella, Soloman
Islands, 9 September 1943. Image
courtesy of Alexander Turnbull Library,
Ref:PAColl-4161-01-113-01
9
Left: Bayonet drill by members of the Tonga
Defence Force of 2nd NZEF, c.1943-44.
Image courtesy of Alexander Turnbull
Library, Ref:PA1-f-107-07-2
Below: RNZAF arrival at Jacquinot Bay, New
Britain, Papua New Guinea, 1945. RNZAF
Official Image courtesy of Airforce Museum
of New Zealand, Ref:PR6758
Above: Coastwatching headquarters at
Nukufetau, Ellice Islands, 1941. Photograph
by Donald Leslie Vaughan in D. O. W. Hall,
Coastwatchers. Wellington: War History
Branch, Department of Internal Affairs,
1951.
Order of Ceremony
Background music performed by DEDICATION CEREMONY Kia kite kotou ko Iehova anake ra te Karakia and blessing of the memorial by
Taulanga Ū Brass Band Atua Peter Jackson, Taranaki Whānui
WELCOME
Wesley Wellington AIE
Caren Rangi ONZM Kia kite kotou ko Iehova anake ra te
Cook Islands Community Leader Atua FLORAL TRIBUTES
ARRIVAL OF THE OFFICIAL Chair of The Arts Council of
The Official Party and representatives
PARTY New Zealand Toi Aotearoa E tomo ki tona au ngutupa ma te of seventeen Pacific Island Nations
Please stand akameitaki e …. ma te akameitaki e lay floral tributes at the memorial
And
accompanied by a Blessing Song –
Akapaapaa tatou Whakaaria Mai/E hilihili kehe lava Ia
Bernadette Cavanagh Akameitaki i tona ingoa
KARANGA Chief Executive, Manatū Taonga (How Great Thou Art) performed by
Ia Iehova e…. Tialemua Lemisio
Pekaira Rei Ministry for Culture and Heritage Akapaapaa tatou
Taranaki Whānui
The Right Honourable Jacinda Ardern
Ia Iehova ka tu ia e rimua on behalf of the people of New Zealand
OPENING PRAYER E tana ra tuatua mou e
MIHI WHAKATAU Pastor Teremoana Tauira Maka QSM Tera uki tera uki e The Honourable Mark Brown
Peter Jackson Victory Apostolic Church, Porirua on behalf of the people of the
Taranaki Whānui
Cook Islands
BACKGROUND TO THE
Please be seated IMENE TUKI (TRADITIONAL MEMORIAL His Excellency
COOK ISLANDS HYMN) Michel Tuffery MNZM Mr Leasi Papali’i Tommy Scanlan
Kia aruru te enua katoa performed by Memorial Designer on behalf of the people of Samoa
TAKALO
members of the Porirua Cook Islands
Atuhau Tupuhake perform a traditional Community His Excellency Brigadier General
Niue war challenge ADDRESS Francis Agwi
Aruru te enua katoa The Right Honourable Jacinda Ardern on behalf of the people of the
I te akameitaki Prime Minister of New Zealand Independent State of Papua New Guinea
E akameitaki ia Iehova
Ae e oro mai His Excellency Mr Filimone Waqabaca
Aere mai ki mua i tona aroaro ma te THE BLESSING on behalf of the people of the
imene Republic of Fiji
Conches played by Wellington
secondary school students, arranged by His Excellency Mr Paulson Panapa
Kia kite kotou E I E A E
Tuaine-Nurse Tamarua Robati ONZM on behalf of the people of Tuvalu
Kia kite kotou e
Cultural advisor to the Pacific Islands
EIEAE
Memorial project team
12 13
His Excellency THE COMMEMORATION Mr Saimoni Lealea MNZM CONCLUSION
Honourable Fisa Pihigia Please stand National and Wellington Fijian Leader Caren Rangi
on behalf of the people of Niue
They shall grow not old, as we that
Her Excellency LAST POST are left grow old
Mrs Sylvaine Carta-Le Vert Age shall not weary them, nor the
Corporal Mike Costeloe
on behalf of the people of years condemn
RNZAF Band
French Polynesia and New Caledonia At the going down of the sun and
in the morning
Mr John Kemakeza We will remember them
THE ODE
on behalf of the people of the
Solomon Islands Te Raukura Leafe Response:
We will remember them
Mrs Sanianna Trief E kore ratou e kaumātuatia
on behalf of the people of the Penei i a tatou kua mahue nei
Republic of Vanuatu E kore hoki ratou e ngoikore ONE MINUTE SILENCE
Ahakoa pehea i nga ahuatanga o te wa.
A one-minute silence is observed
Mr Ben Otang I te hekenga atu o te ra
on behalf of the people of the Tae noa ki te aranga mai i te ata
Republic of Kiribati Ka maumahara tonu tatou ki a ratou ROUSE
Response: Please be seated
His Excellency Mr Richard Griffith
on behalf of the people of Nauru, Ka maumahara tonu tatou ki a ratou
Federated States of Micronesia,
THE CLOSING
the Republic of the Marshall Islands
Mrs Glorious Oxenham ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
and Palau
Chair of the Wellington Melanesia
The Honourable Mark Brown
Mr Lenisiloti Sitafooti Aho Women & Friends Group
Prime Minister of The Cook Islands
on behalf of the people of Tonga President of the Wellington Solomon
Islands Community Group
Dr Iuta Tinielu CLOSING PRAYER
on behalf of the people of Tokelau Babae olketa i no save olo, as iumi hu i
stap bihaen kasem olo Father Tikoua Kautu
Eig babae no mekem olketa taead an Catholic Parish of Otari
Air Marshal Kevin Short
on behalf of the New Zealand olketa iia no daonem olketa
Defence Force Long taim sun igo daon, an lo mone
Babae iumi rimembarem olketa
CLOSING SONG
Air Vice Marshal Tu i luga (Arise) performed by
Robin Klitscher CBE DFC AFC (Rtd) Response: Destiny Fia’ali’i Va’asila and
on behalf of the Royal New Zealand Babae iumi rimembarem olketa Selena Sa’u
Returned and Services Association
14 15
About the Memorial
Below: Niue soldiers with Auckland
Mayoress, Mrs Jessie Gunson, and nurses at
Auckland Trained Nurses Club in Mountain
Road, Epsom, 5 October 1916. Image
courtesy of Auckland Libraries Heritage
Collections, Ref:31-WP8025
Te Reo Hotunui o Te Moana nui a Kiwa -
Above: Early concept drawings of
the deep sigh of the Pacific, represents Te Reo Hotunui o Te Moana nui a Kiwa,
New Zealand’s enduring friendship courtesy of Michel Tuffery MNZM
with the Pacific Islands and the service
of Pacific Islanders in support of
New Zealand in the two World Wars
and later conflicts.
The design, by artist Michel Tuffery
MNZM and Herriot, Melhuish and
O’Neil Architects, recalls the conch
shell left in the Arras Tunnels by Kuki
Airani (Cook Island) soldiers of The Left: Soldiers of the Rarotongan Company
New Zealand tunnelling Company standing beside artillery shells, c1916–18.
and the New Zealand (Māori) Pioneer Image courtesy of Alexander Turnbull
Battalion, who were stationed beneath Library, Ref:1/2-066834-F
the town of Arras during 1916 to 1918.
16
This Memorial Dedication was arranged
by Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture
and Heritage, in partnership with
Manatū Aorere Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and Trade, Te Manatū mō ngā
Iwi ō te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Ministry
for Pacific Peoples and the Visits and
Ceremonial Office, Department of
Internal Affairs.
Above: Māori, Niue and Cook Island
soldiers swimming off Narrow Neck camp in
Auckland, 1916. Image courtesy of Auckland
Libraries Heritage Collections, Ref:7-A14559
Below: New Zealand soldiers pay their last
respects to Fijian Staff Sergeant Maika Raka,
in Timor Leste, 11 September 2001. Image
courtesy of New Zealand Defence ForceYou can also read
