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!!!