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Pou Maumahara – Māori Pioneer Battalion Memorial

Discover

Places to see

Belgium

Flanders

West Flanders

Ieper

Zonnebeke

Pou Maumahara – Māori Pioneer Battalion Memorial

Recommended by 43 hikers out of 45

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Location: Zonnebeke, Ieper, West Flanders, Flanders, Belgium

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Tips

Franky De Witte

October 31, 2022

The Pou Maumahara - Pohutokawa is an 8 meters high and 6 tons Maori monument that honors the New Zealand Maori and other soldiers from WWI. Master woodcarvers, teachers and students from the NZMACI in Rotorua crafted this totem from an indigenous wood that is more than 4,500 years old. The Pou Maumahare bears the name 'Pohutokawa' which refers to the native tree that symbolizes new beginnings as well as farewell. Pohutokawa trees welcomed the Maori tupuna (ancestors) when they first set foot ashore. Her flower is the image of the blooming poppy. The monument has two sides representing both Tumatauenga (war) and Rongomaraeroa (peace). The monument is the first of its kind to specifically recognize the role of the Maori.

Translated by Google •

🇧🇪 Herwig Aertbeliën

December 20, 2024

An impressive memorial that vividly illustrates the role of the Maori presence in Europe during the First World War.

The monument is a stone's throw from the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917.

The pou maumahara (memorial carving) is made from 4,500 year old native New Zealand wood by master carvers, teachers and students from the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute (NZMACI) in Rotorua, New Zealand.

The monument has two sides representing Tumatauenga (war) and Rongomaraeroa (peace), recognising those who travelled great distances to take part in the war, as well as those who remained in New Zealand",

"Pohutukawa trees welcomed the tupuna (ancestors) of the Maori people of New Zealand when they first arrived in the country, and were also the tree that spiritually bids farewell to our loved ones."

The story depicted, “Pou maumahara”, is part of New Zealand’s shared history with Belgium – and the reason so many of our people travel here each year to honour the memory of those who fought in the First World War.

The red pohutukawa flower is also often compared to the poppy at Passchendaele when it is in bloom.

The monument weighs just over six tonnes and is eight metres high.

A monument to look up to with respect.

You can also observe the Haka at this location pronounce.

Ka mate! Ka mate! Ka ora! Ka ora!

Ka mate! Ka mate! Ka ora! Ka ora!

Tenei te tangata puhuru huru

Nana nei i tiki mai

Whakawhiti te ra

A upa ... ne! A upa ... ne!

A upane kaupane whiti te ra!

Hi!!!

Ha!!!

English translation:

This death! This death! This life! This life!

This death! This death! This life! This life!

Behold! There stands a hairy man

He has brought something

He made the sun shine

A step forward! Another step forward!

A step forward, another.. The sun is shining!!

Hi!!!

Ha!!!

Translated by Google •

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Details

Informations

Elevation 40 m

Weather

Today

Wednesday 17 September

19°C

16°C

40 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 12.0 km/h

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Location: Zonnebeke, Ieper, West Flanders, Flanders, Belgium

Pou Maumahara – Māori Pioneer Battalion Memorial

1. Peace Monument Sculpture – Polygon Wood Cemetery loop from Mexico

2. Polygoonbos – Polygon Wood Cemetery loop from Zonnebeke

3. Polygon Wood Cemetery – German Pillbox Ruin loop from Mexico

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