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Maori Battalion performing a haka, Egypt, by unknown photographer, 1941. Alexander Turnbull Library.
Māori Battalion performing a haka, Egypt, by unknown photographer, 1941. Alexander Turnbull Library.

Description

Of the 16,000 Māori soldiers who registered for active service in World War II, 3,600 served abroad. Of that number, 649 were killed, 1,712 were wounded, and 267 were taken prisoner or listed as missing. This casualty rate for the ‘Hokowhitu a Tū’ (28th Māori Battalion) was fifty percent higher than the average for the New Zealand Division.

Discussion

Anania Amohau of the 28th Māori Battalion wrote their famous marching song. What are the words of this song? How do you think this made them feel singing this song as they marched into battle?

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