Ka Mate haka relived on Anzac Day
The cenotaph, with its 71 names etched into its granite is a reminder of the loss of life suffered in Morrinsville.
A thousand people turned out for the Morrinsville Anzac Day Commemorative Service to mark the sacrifice of those fallen in The Great War of 1914-18.
Morrinsville Intermediate’s choir set the mood with its reflective songs as the sun shone brightly on the monument.
Members of the No.31 Squadron Morrinsville ATC slow marched up from the boundary to form the Cenotaph Guard.
It was a time of reflection and a time to recall the battles and the names of those who had fallen.
Capturing the mood of the times were Alison Priestley and Maiora Taupo, head girl and boy from Morrinsville College.
Priestley recalled the role of women and their contribution to both World Wars.
By day women were manufacturing armaments and then knitting socks for soldiers in the evening.
She paid tribute to the sacrifice of medic Lance Corporal Jacinda Baker, the only New Zealand female combat soldier to have died in conflict since the Vietnam War.
‘‘Baker loved everything she did, she loved the discipline of the army and she showed that girls can do anything,’’ said Priestley.
‘‘I hope to one day make a contribution not only to my whanau but also to my country when I am able to wear the uniform of the New Zealand Navy.’’
Taupo commenced his address with Ka Mate.
He reflected on its meaning and the effect it had on the Maori rangatira and war leader of the Nga¯ti Toa, Te Rauparaha, who could feel the power of the incantations.
He is said to have muttered: ‘‘Ka Mate! ka mate!’’ (Will I die!) under his breath and ‘‘Ka Ora! ka ora!’’ (or will I live!) when the noa reduced the incantation’s effect.
These lines were repeated many times before Te Rauparaha had escaped towards Taranaki.
It was then that he finally exclaimed ‘‘Ka ora, ka ora! Tenei te tangata puhuruhuru nana nei i tiki mai whakawhiti te ra!’’ (I live! I live!).
‘‘Te Rauparaha wrote Ka Mate as a haka for life and for the future to come,’’ said Taupo.
‘‘For those young men in foxholes and died soon after, there was to be no life, and a future they would not see.’’