October 24, 2016
Last 28 Maori Battalion president farewelled
The bugles will play one last time today for Nolan Raihania as he is laid in his grave at Tokomaru Bay.
The last president of the 28 Maori Battalion Association died last week just weeks shy of his 90th birthday.
Hundreds of mourners past through Pakirikiri Marae over the long weekend to pay their respects and share memories of a man whose life was one of service to his country, to his family, to his community and to his iwi.
Whether it was as a justice of the peace, a Mataura borough councillor, a kapa haka tutor, a Ngati Porou trustee or as an advocate for his fellow veterans, he was always ready to share his wisdom and experience.
Moe mai ra e te rangatira.
E kore ratou e koroheketia
Penei i a tatou kua mahue nei
E kore hoki ratou e ngoikore
Ahakoa pehea i nga ahuatanga o te wa.
I te hekenga atu o te ra
Tae noa ki te aranga mai i te ata
Ka maumahara tonu tatou ki a ratou.
Ka maumahara tonu tatou ki a ratou.
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