War Memorial Dedication in Full on Maori TV

Publicity Release
Thursday November 9 2006

War Memorial Dedication Screens in Full on Maori Television

Maori Television will screen the entire dedication ceremony of the New Zealand memorial to our defence forces in a special broadcast – TATAU POUNAMU – from London’s Hyde Park this Sunday November 12 at 12.00 PM.

The memorial commemorates the enduring bonds between New Zealand and the United Kingdom, and the shared sacrifice of the two nations in times of conflict – from the Boer War to the present day. Called the Southern Stand, the memorial features 16 bronze standards, including one for the Maori contribution during wartime, each bearing New Zealand insignia and historical inscriptions.

Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will attend the ceremony while New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark will give an address and lay a wreath at the memorial, as will the Chief of the Defence Force, Lt General Jerry Mateparae. The Maori Television broadcast will be presented by Reverend Hone Kaa and will include the dedication of the memorial by the Queen, an address by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and a moteatea – Ode to the Fallen – read by Lt General Mateparae.

Dave Dobbyn, Hayley Westenra and London-based Maori group Ngati Ranana will perform at the ceremony. The New Zealand Government has also flown 32 Kiwi veterans to London to attend.

Maori Battalion veteran Rutene Irwin from Gisborne says he is honoured to be part of the contingent. His grandfathers and father all served in World War 1 while six of brothers also served in the forces. “I go to tangi for our brothers left on the fields and go to represent our people – Maori and Pakeha – in this great rerenga tahi voyage, the unveiling of the New Zealand Memorial in London. In my heart, I will pray for them all.”

Prime Minister Helen Clark says the memorial, dedicated during the Year of the Veteran, is a “tribute to the deep and long-standing relationship which exists between New Zealand and the United Kingdom … The memorial will also provide a fitting venue for New Zealanders in Britain to commemorate Waitangi Day and ANZAC Day, and will be a place for British people to learn something of the relationship between our two countries.”

Join Maori Television for full coverage from London of this historic event when TATAU POUNAMU screens this Sunday November 12 at 12.00 PM.

ENDS

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