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 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 NZ COVID TRACER APP SCAN HERE TO SIGN-IN WITH THE NZ COVID TRACER APP

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 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 , 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 Kiribati and Tuvalu were then part New Zealand’s war effort was again of the German colony of in In 1914 and again in 1941 rivalries of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, primarily focused on Europe and the August 1914 (soon after, Australia seized between European and Asian also under British control. When 25 Middle East, tens of thousands of the German territories of empires brought conflict to 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 . 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, 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 offered an ethnically mixed Volunteers from 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 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 . 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, , 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 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 . 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 . 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 WELCOME Atua Peter Jackson, Taranaki Whānui Wesley Wellington A I E Caren Rangi ONZM Kia kite kotou ko Iehova anake ra te Cook Islands Community Leader Atua FLORAL TRIBUTES Chair of The Arts Council of ARRIVAL OF THE OFFICIAL The Official Party and representatives New Zealand Toi Aotearoa PARTY E tomo ki tona au ngutupa ma te of seventeen Pacific Island Nations akameitaki e …. ma te akameitaki e lay floral tributes at the memorial Please stand And accompanied by a Blessing Song – Akapaapaa tatou Bernadette Cavanagh Whakaaria Mai/E hilihili kehe lava Ia KARANGA Akameitaki i tona ingoa (How Great Thou Art) performed by Chief Executive, Manatū Taonga Ia Iehova e…. Pekaira Rei Tialemua Lemisio 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 TAKALO Kia aruru te enua katoa performed by Memorial Designer on behalf of the people of Samoa 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 Kia kite kotou E I E A E His Excellency Mr Paulson Panapa Tuaine-Nurse Tamarua Robati ONZM Kia kite kotou e on behalf of the people of Tuvalu Cultural advisor to the Pacific Islands E I E A E 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 THE ODE We will remember them 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 Please be seated His Excellency Mr Richard Griffith Response: 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 and Palau ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Chair of the Wellington Melanesia The Honourable Mark Brown Women & Friends Group Mr Lenisiloti Sitafooti Aho 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 Catholic Parish of Otari Air Marshal Kevin Short Eig babae no mekem olketa taead an on behalf of the New Zealand olketa iia no daonem olketa Defence Force Long taim sun igo daon, an lo mone CLOSING SONG Babae iumi rimembarem olketa 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 Force