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A former soldier and chronicler of Māori in battle says Anzac Day is a reminder to Māori of the need to keep fighting for justice and equality.
Former Lieutenant Colonel Sir Harawira Gardiner marked the day at a remembrance ceremony with Te Whānau a Apanui at Te Kaha.
He says the cancellation of many parades around the country because of the heightened security threat following the Christchurch mosque attacks is disappointing, but it’s also a warning for Māori never to rest their vigilance regarding advocated of white supremacy.
“They’re the kinds of things our tūpuna went off to war for, fighting for equality and to be treated fairly,” he told Radio Waatea host Claudette Hauiti.
He said when the 28 Māori Battalion arrived back in Wellington on January 26, 1946, the men did not want to get on the trains taking them back to their homes because it would mean the end of the battalion.
“Their commanding officer, James Henare, said they needed to go home but ‘Tū Māori mai,’ stand firm as Māori.
“He was telling them ‘we have survived five years of war but there are significant challenges ahead of us,’” Sir Harawira said.
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