Story of the Week

This week, we were privileged to have Joe Naden come and talk to us about the Pioneer Maori Battalion and their involvement in World War 1.  Our story of the week this week is from Kyoto, who wrote a fabulous recount about the visit.  I really enjoyed some of the sophisticated language she used in her story.

Waiting patiently in the Whare for Joe Naden & his associate to arrive at Clendon Park. I was so excited when he showed up. I thought he was going to chat about WW2 but no he talked about WW1  but it didn’t really bother me at all atleast we got the chance to hear a marvelous story about out ancestors and WW1. He talked about his father & brother being in the war. Building trenches for the allies. The Maori demaned permission from the Goverment to fight in thier war. The German were prepared for anything. They had guns, bombs and knifes, when the Maori had well no protection and no weapons at all. So pretty much they had no chance of winning. We also done a waiata towards Joe Naden for his amazing story (Whaka Moemiti). It was such a pleasure to hear it. I’m so grateful for being here today and thankful for all those soliders that died for our souls to be here 2014.