March Out Parade 32 Platoon Delta CompanyAustralian Army28092012

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On 23 January 1946 the 28th (Maori) Battalion arrived in Wellington, after returning from service during World War Two. 780 troops were welcomed home with powhiri and waiata as they disembarked at Pipitea Wharf. This film follows the return of the soldiers to New Zealand and shows various communities preparing food and festivities at local marae. • Formed in 1940 as part of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force (2NZEF), the Maori Battalion was attached to the 2nd New Zealand Division as an extra battalion that was moved between the division's three infantry brigades. The battalion fought during the Greek, North African and Italian campaigns, during which it earned a formidable reputation as a fighting force and became the most decorated New Zealand battalion during the war. Following the end of hostilities, the battalion contributed a contingent of personnel to serve in Japan as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force, before being disbanded in January 1946. • This film featured in the 'Weekly Review' news series which ran from 1942 - 1950, produced by the National Film Unit (NFU). The NFU was established to publicise New Zealand's participation and achievements during the war. After 1945 the NFU expanded from producing weekly newsreels to making documentaries and films to the order of Government Departments. During its existence the NFU produced films for national organisations as well as many films on its own initiative. The private film industry in New Zealand relied heavily on the NFU's extensive film processing facilities. • Archives Reference: AAPG W3471/1597 62 • • Weekly Review No. 232 (1946) • For updates on our On This Day series and news from Archives New Zealand, follow us on Twitter twitter.com/ArchivesNZ • Material supplied by Archives New Zealand • • • This film follows the return to New Zealand of the WWII soldiers from the 28th Maori Battalion. It shows various communities preparing food and festivities at local marae (Porirua is featured at the start of the film). Large quantities of food are prepared for cooking in a hangi (underground seaming ovens) up and down the country. Food is prepared for a huge feast on the waterfront, chicken, pork and seafood. • The soldiers disembark at Pipitea Warf, 780 men who fought through Greece and Crete, Egypt and Tunisia, through Italy and Fiesta. Their casualty rate was five in seven. • The powhiri consists of singing and dancing, songs and crying. The film contains numerous Maori songs and dances. Celebrations go on into the evening. • Soldiers returned to local Pa (traditional Maori family meeting places), and took part in emotional cultural ceremonies of reuniting families. Kuku Ohou is featured, a memorial to Jack Seymour who died in Libya. Ngaruawahia is the final welcome ceremony featured.

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