April 24, 2024
Expectation high for ANZAC Cove karakia
A member of the Ngāti Tūmatauenga contingent to tomorrow’s ANZAC commemoration in Gallipoli says she’s looking forward to a very special experience.
The 40 Defence Force members arrived in Turkey last week to acclimatise and rehearse before the ceremonies, with them returning a week later.
Ash Huata says the roopu has been to the site with local historians to learn more about what happened that day 109 years ago.
“So everyone knows about the war and what happened but they actually go into detail about it. It sheds a whole new light on everything that actually happened up at Gallipoli. So that is actually really awesome. It is a place to be, to be honest, it is beautiful,” she says.
Ash Huata says the team has been lifted up the manaakitanga of the locals and the karakia around the battle sites.