Memorial alcove within the Māori Battalion Hall on the corner of Cuba and Pitt Streets. Inscribed on brass plates are the names of soldiers from the 28th Māori Battalion who died while serving overseas, with photographs of members surrounding the panels. Four carved wooden statues, each uniquely identifying A, B, C & D companies of the Battalion, lie in the foreground on either side of the alcove.
Hastings architect John Colin Scott, who was of Maori descent, designed this building. Scott was commissioned by the Raukawa tribal executive in 1954 to design a community centre that would be a national memorial to the 28th Maori Battalion and recognise the close connection between the battalion and the city. Costing between £25,000 and £30,000, the Maori Battalion Hall was officially opened on 27 June 1964. Of some 2,000 people present, around 800 had been members of the 28th Maori Battalion.
The building originally functioned as a meeting hall – with a stage, offices and toilets on the ground floor, a kitchen and dining area on the first floor, and a sleeping area, smaller hall, and caretaker’s quarters, on the top floor. Kelly Kereama, of Feilding, carved the fourteen (8ft x 18ins) panels on the building’s exterior, while tukutuku panels were used inside and intricate kowhaiwhai patterns adorned the exposed beams. Since then it has had a range of occupants, and as a result, much of the original interior decoration has gone.
Hastings architect John Colin Scott, who was of Maori descent, designed this building. Scott was commissioned by the Raukawa tribal executive in 1954 to design a community centre that would be a national memorial to the 28th Maori Battalion and recognise the close connection between the battalion and the city. Costing between £25,000 and £30,000, the Maori Battalion Hall was officially opened on 27 June 1964. Of some 2,000 people present, around 800 had been members of the 28th Maori Battalion.
The building originally functioned as a meeting hall – with a stage, offices and toilets on the ground floor, a kitchen and dining area on the first floor, and a sleeping area, smaller hall, and caretaker’s quarters, on the top floor. Kelly Kereama, of Feilding, carved the fourteen (8ft x 18ins) panels on the building’s exterior, while tukutuku panels were used inside and intricate kowhaiwhai patterns adorned the exposed beams. Since then it has had a range of occupants, and as a result, much of the original interior decoration has gone.
The Māori Battalion trained at the Palmerston North Showgrounds during World War Two. This is one of a set of images showing their final parade from the Showgrounds, with this one being taken in The Square. Images from the Newth family album. The album is digitised in its entirety at 2018A_NewthS1V1_024687
The Māori Battalion trained at the Palmerston North Showgrounds during World War Two. This is one of a set of images showing their final parade from the Showgrounds, with this one being taken in Cuba Street. It appears to be taken from the top of a building on the other side of Cuba Street, and shows the Battalion marching past the corner of Lombard Street and the Hotel Carlton (now the Distinction Hotel). Images are from the Newth family album. The album is digitised in its entirety at 2018A_NewthS1V1_024687
The Māori Battalion Hall, named 'Te Rau Aroha' (emblem of gratitude), was erected in Palmerston North as a national memorial to the men of the 28th (Māori) Battalion who lost their lives in the Second World War. It was designed by John Scott, architect of Hastings, and the 14 carved panels on the facade (8 feet x 1 foot 6 inches) were carved by Kelly Kereama of Feilding. Inside 639 names of those who did not return are inscribed on 14 brass plates. All the concrete, both inside and out, was left unplastered and with the marks of the boxing to symbolise the strength of the Māori people. The three-storey building was planned as a community centre to serve all races and was opened in June 1964 by the Governor General, Sir Bernard Fergusson.
This image was taken by Keith Collinson, of the family who owned the Collinson & Cunninghame's department store. He was a Sergeant based in the Records Department at the Palmerston North Showgrounds. The Māori Battalion trained at the Showgrounds from January to May of 1940. On the back of the photograph Keith wrote, “Māori Battalion Parade at the Palmerston North Showgrounds. Tall building at right, lost in Ordnance Fire, midnight New Year’s Eve.” The fire was in 1945.
Images contributed by Keith's great-nephew, Palmerston North city councillor, Mark Arnott.
This image was taken by Keith Collinson, of the family who owned the Collinson & Cunninghame's department store. He was a Sergeant based in the Records Department at the Palmerston North Showgrounds. The Māori Battalion trained at the Showgrounds from January to May of 1940.
Images contributed by Keith's great-nephew, Palmerston North city councillor, Mark Arnott.
The Māori Battalion Hall, named 'Te Rau Aroha' (emblem of gratitude), was erected in Palmerston North as a national memorial to the men of the 28th (Māori) Battalion who lost their lives in the Second World War. It was designed by John Scott, architect of Hastings, and the 14 carved panels on the facade (8 feet x 1 foot 6 inches) were carved by Kelly Kereama of Feilding. Inside 639 names of those who did not return are inscribed on 14 brass plates. All the concrete, both inside and out, was left unplastered and with the marks of the boxing to symbolise the strength of the Māori people. The three-storey building was planned as a community centre to serve all races and was opened in June 1964 by the Governor General, Sir Bernard Fergusson. Mayor Gilbert Rennie was also in attendance, as well as a number of Māori veterans.
The Māori Battalion Hall, named 'Te Rau Aroha' (emblem of gratitude), was erected in Palmerston North as a national memorial to the men of the 28th (Māori) Battalion who lost their lives in the Second World War. It was designed by John Scott, architect of Hastings, and the 14 carved panels on the facade (8 feet x 1 foot 6 inches) were carved by Kelly Kereama of Feilding. Inside 639 names of those who did not return are inscribed on 14 brass plates. All the concrete, both inside and out, was left unplastered and with the marks of the boxing to symbolise the strength of the Māori people. The three-storey building was planned as a community centre to serve all races and was opened in June 1964 by the Governor General, Sir Bernard Fergusson. Mayor Gilbert Rennie was also in attendance, as well as a number of Māori veterans.
The Māori Battalion Hall, named 'Te Rau Aroha' (emblem of gratitude), was erected in Palmerston North as a national memorial to the men of the 28th (Māori) Battalion who lost their lives in the Second World War. It was designed by John Scott, architect of Hastings, and the 14 carved panels on the facade (8 feet x 1 foot 6 inches) were carved by Kelly Kereama of Feilding. Inside 639 names of those who did not return are inscribed on 14 brass plates. All the concrete, both inside and out, was left unplastered and with the marks of the boxing to symbolise the strength of the Māori people. The three-storey building was planned as a community centre to serve all races and was opened in June 1964 by the Governor General, Sir Bernard Fergusson. Mayor Gilbert Rennie was also in attendance, as well as a number of Māori veterans.
The Māori Battalion Hall, named 'Te Rau Aroha' (emblem of gratitude), was erected in Palmerston North as a national memorial to the men of the 28th (Māori) Battalion who lost their lives in the Second World War. It was designed by John Scott, architect of Hastings, and the 14 carved panels on the facade (8 feet x 1 foot 6 inches) were carved by Kelly Kereama of Feilding. Inside 639 names of those who did not return are inscribed on 14 brass plates. All the concrete, both inside and out, was left unplastered and with the marks of the boxing to symbolise the strength of the Māori people. The three-storey building was planned as a community centre to serve all races and was opened in June 1964 by the Governor General, Sir Bernard Fergusson. Mayor Gilbert Rennie was also in attendance, as well as a number of Māori veterans.
Members of the Palmerston North Business Girls' Association met on Monday nights to make knit, write letters and pack parcels to send to soldiers of the Māori Battalion, serving overseas in World War Two. From left: Rene Elliott, Eath Englefield, Gladys Bales, Joyce Carty, Vera Royal, Audrey Kerslake, Jean Ladyman, Murial Watt, Dulcie Newth (secretary), Murial Marshall, Marie McManus, Clarice Boddy, Mary Sankey, Nell Erenstrom, Mildred Verry. Published in the 'NZ Free Lance' 3 July 1940, captioned "MAORI BATTALION FOSTER MOTHERS'.
Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. The story of the dog Tiger, a great dane, mascot of the Māori Battalion during World War 2. Tiger was the companion dog of Captain Harding Waipuke Leaf (Ngā Puhi). Tiger stayed in New Zealand when Captain Leaf departed for service overseas. Sadly he died in Crete in 1941.
Invitation to Charlotte Warburton, to attend the 28th Māori Battalion Ball held at the Showgrounds, Palmerston North, 29 April 1940. Charlotte Warburton (1883-1961) was chairwoman of the Women's War Service Auxiliary in Palmerston North and was very actively involved in the war effort. From the archive of 'C E Warburton'.
The New Zealand Poppy Places Trust has been established to develop, promote, and oversee a nation-wide project to commemorate and recognise as part of the heritage of New Zealanders, the participation of New Zealand in military conflicts and military operational services overseas. Poppy Places website.
Presentation by (Rtd.) Major George Kereama on The Military History of Palmerston North - The Māori Battalion Hall at The Globe Theatre in Palmerston North on 26 June 2021.
Length: 7 min 19 sec
The Māori Battalion Hall, named 'Te Rau Aroha' (emblem of gratitude), was erected in Palmerston North as a national memorial to the men of the 28th (Māori) Battalion who lost their lives in the Second World War. It was designed by John Scott, architect of Hastings, and the 14 carved panels on the facade (8 feet x 1 foot 6 inches) were carved by Kelly Kereama of Feilding. Inside 639 names of those who did not return are inscribed on 14 brass plates. All the concrete, both inside and out, was left unplastered and with the marks of the boxing to symbolise the strength of the Māori people. The three-storey building was planned as a community centre to serve all races and was opened in June 1964 by the Governor General, Sir Bernard Fergusson. The man to his left is Hoani Meihana Te Rama Durie, also known as John Mason Durie (1889–1972). Mayor Gilbert Rennie was also in attendance, as well as a number of Māori veterans.
Crowds are gathered to hear the church service held for ANZAC Day at Te Rau o te Aroha - Māori Battalion Hall.
The Māori Battalion Hall, named 'Te Rau o Te Aroha' (emblem of gratitude), was erected in Palmerston North as a national memorial to the men of the 28th (Māori) Battalion who lost their lives in the Second World War. It was designed by John Scott, architect of Hastings, and the 14 carved panels on the facade (8 feet x 1 foot 6 inches) were carved by Kelly Kereama of Feilding. Inside 639 names of those who did not return are inscribed on 14 brass plates. All the concrete, both inside and out, was left unplastered and with the marks of the boxing to symbolise the strength of the Māori people. The three-storey building was planned as a community centre to serve all races and was opened in June 1964 by the Governor General, Sir Bernard Fergusson. At the time this photo was taken, it served as the Visual Arts school of the Wananga O Aotearoa.
