April 21, 2023
Māori Battalion colours head for Waitangi
The Waitangi National Trust, in partnership with the 28 Māori Battalion Taitokerau Association (A Company), is hosting an Anzac Day commemoration service at the Treaty Grounds.
The 28 (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.
The last surviving battalion member, Tā Robert Gillies, will present to the nation the 28 (Māori) Battalion campaign and battle honours memorial flag, which will be housed in Te Rau Aroha Museum of the Price of Citizenship on the Treaty Grounds.
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 Wednesday and will remain in place for visitors to view post-Anzac Day.