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Story: Ngā pakanga ki tāwāhi – Māori and overseas wars

Māori Battalion soldiers farewelled by Apirana Ngata, 1940

Video file

28th (Māori) Battalion soldiers of the Fourth Reinforcement are farewelled from Wellington by Sir Apirana and Lady Te Rīringi Ngata. Sir Apirana performs a hongi (traditional greeting) with Second Lieutenant Jack Reedy, while Lady Te Rīringi performs a hongi with Second Lieutenant Peta Awatere (later commander of the Māori Battalion). Ngata was heavily involved in recruiting and support for the war effort in both world wars.

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Archives New Zealand - Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga

Reference: Country Lads. National Film Unit, 1941

Permission of Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga must be obtained before any re-use of this material.

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How to cite this page

Monty Soutar, Ngā pakanga ki tāwāhi – Māori and overseas wars – The 28th (Māori) Battalion, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/video/36694/maori-battalion-soldiers-farewelled-by-apirana-ngata-1940 (accessed 11 June 2026).

Story by Monty Soutar, published 5 June 2012, updated 1 May 2016.