Celebrating the legacy of the 28th (Māori) Battalion: Ake ake kia kaha e

Issue: Volume 102, Number 6

Posted: 11 May 2023
Reference #: 1HA_ix

This year, 15 Māori from across Aotearoa were celebrated for incredible achievements in honour of Victoria Cross winner Second Lieutenant Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu and the 28th (Māori) Battalion; some of whom are their tīpuna. Education Gazette caught up with two – Whakatāne High School assistant principal Renay Jones and veteran broadcaster Julian Wilcox.

Ngarimu Board members, scholarship and award recipients, Members of Parliament for Māori electorates, whānau and other attendees are welcomed on to Te Papaiouru Marae, Ōhinemutu in Rotorua.

Ngarimu Board members, scholarship and award recipients, Members of Parliament for Māori electorates, whānau and other attendees are welcomed on to Te Papaiouru Marae, Ōhinemutu in Rotorua.

One doctoral candidate, three masters students, three undergraduate students, three vocational education and training students, and five wharekura students were awarded Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships and Awards at a ceremony held on Friday 17 March at Te Papaiouru Marae, Ōhinemutu, in Rotorua.

The prestigious scholarships and awards commemorate Victoria Cross winner Second Lieutenant Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu and members of the 28th (Māori) Battalion, who served on the battlefields of Greece, Crete, North Africa, and Italy between 1941 and 1945.

This is the second year the awards ceremony has been held outside of Parliament in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington since the scholarships were first established in 1945.

Te Papaiouru Marae was chosen for this year’s awards ceremony in acknowledgement of the legacy and significance of the 28th (Māori) Battalion to Māori, and to acknowledge the affiliation to the marae, hapū and iwi of the late Sir Charles Bennett, who was a lieutenant colonel in the Battalion.

Sir Charles not only wrote the citation that led to Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu receiving the Victoria Cross but was also the Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Scholarship Fund’s first postgraduate scholarship recipient.

“The decision to move the awards ceremony outside of Te Whanganui-a-Tara was made by the Ngarimu Board as an opportunity to connect with different hapori and acknowledge the immense contributions made by the many men who served in the 28th (Māori) Battalion,” says Associate Minister of Education, Kelvin Davis.

The awards ceremony is an annual event that celebrates Māori who are undertaking university study or vocational education and training, and the winners of the Ngarimu Video Competition for ākonga in Year 7–13; all of whom demonstrate characteristics that align with the values of the 28th (Māori) Battalion.

“Our scholarship and award winners are a true testament to the essence of these special awards. They have displayed confidence in their cultural identity with capability in te reo Māori. They know their whakapapa, are connected to and contribute to their community and whānau and can confidently walk in two worlds,” says Minister Davis.

“The scholarships aim to support Māori students to reach their potential by reducing some of the financial barriers to study or training.”

Ākonga from Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Koutu performing a haka pōwhiri to welcome attendees to the award ceremony.

Ākonga from Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Koutu performing a haka pōwhiri to welcome attendees to the award ceremony.

Ake ake kia kaha e: Forever brave in education

The 2023 scholarship recipients were recognised for their achievements in a memorable award ceremony that began with a pōwhiri led by Ngāti Whakaue.

Ngarimu Board members, scholarship and award recipients, Members of Parliament for Māori electorates, whānau and other attendees were welcomed onto Te Papaiouru Marae with a powerful karanga and outstanding haka pōwhiri performed in true Te Arawa fashion.

Attendees described the event as a special occasion that reminded everyone of the sacrifice and bravery of the 28th (Māori) Battalion and the importance of preserving the history of Aotearoa.

This year’s awards ceremony was supported by Te Puni Kōkiri, with Minister Davis thanking his colleague, Minister for Māori Development Willie Jackson, for their contribution to the kaupapa.

Renay Jones (Te Whakatōhea) – Vocational Education and Training (VET) Scholarship

Upholding the mana of her tīpuna and living by the values they instilled in her guides Renay Jones in all that she does.

The Whakatāne High School assistant principal is one of three VET Ngarimu Scholarship recipients in 2023, and is a shining example of someone who embodies excellence in education. It has taken determination, perseverance and hard work to get to where she is today.

With more than two decades of experience in secondary education, it’s hard to believe that Renay was once a disengaged teenager who wanted to quit school.

“It was a result of my lack of focus and not valuing my learning. I needed to find my passion. The following year, although I studied harder, I was still not enjoying being at school and wanted to leave,” says Renay.

Her mother enlisted the support of some first-year nursing students in her class to go around to their whare and talk to Renay about why she should not give up.

This turned out to be a blessing for Renay, who was born in Whakatāne and raised in Ōpotiki until the age of 12 when her mum moved her and her siblings to Hamilton.

Not only did Renay return to school and enjoy Year 13, but she also took the opportunity of leadership and was named Head Girl of Melville High School in Hamilton in 1996.

“It ignited fire in my puku to change my future,” says Renay.

She was also fortunate to have an exceptional English teacher in her final year of school, whose way of teaching was engaging.

“I fell in love with studying literature and decided there and then that I wanted to be just like her and enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Waikato upon leaving school.”

Greatest role model

Despite being a solo parent raising three children, mainly working part-time and taking a 14-year intermittent break from nursing, at 37 years old Renay’s māmā returned to full-time nursing study to upskill her qualifications to that of registered comprehensive nurse.

“It was during this time that Mum truly discovered her potential and desire for higher education with a focus on Māori health and recognition of cultural differences,” says Renay.

“Mum took up further postgraduate study and went on to complete her thesis and published her book Kia Mana – A synergy of wellbeing.”

From all of this work, sweat and tears, she was endorsed as the first Māori nurse practitioner in Aotearoa.

“Mum went on to complete prescribing papers, returned home to serve our iwi, Te Whakatōhea, and was successful in gaining prescribing rights for her practice working alongside GPs in Ōpotiki.”

Renay’s mum died in 2014 after a short battle with cancer, but remains her greatest role model, a true trailblazer for better health outcomes for Māori.

“Mum is the reason I too returned home to the Bay of Plenty 16 years ago to give back in education. I attribute my passion for Māori achievement and equity in education to the values my mother role-modelled every day of her life – and her unwavering support for iwi Māori.”

Winner of the Vocational Education and Training Scholarship, Renay Jones, and whānau.

Winner of the Vocational Education and Training Scholarship, Renay Jones, and whānau.

Strength in legacy

Renay’s koro and kuia were also hugely influential in her early years.

Growing up next door to them in Ōpotiki for the first 12 years of her life unconsciously gave Renay a connection to her taha Māori.

“I attribute my journey to reclaim my reo to them both,” she says.

As a child, Renay recalls attending the Tekau Mā Rua with her nan and pa who were staunchly Hahi Ringatu.

“It was not until I left secondary school and entered into adulthood, and my nan had passed away, that I began to question my identity and crave an understanding of our culture,” says Renay.

“I knew something was missing, and it was my reo. Nanny was a native speaker and she took this reo with her when she passed.”

Renay’s te reo Māori journey started during her degree at university from 1997–1999. But this was not enough to grasp and sustain her reo.

Over the last 23 years, Renay has also had the privilege of working with some incredible kaiako and leaders in the six secondary schools she has been a part of in Aotearoa and abroad.

She continues to be inspired by so many, especially wāhine Māori. She is married to Lewis with whom she has three beautiful tamariki.

“I wanted to make a difference for our rangatahi knowing what I had experienced in my own education, and this was the catalyst for enrolling in the postgraduate diploma upon finishing my undergraduate degree.

“I wanted to be a kaiako that formed authentic relationships, engaged students with a love for English (which a lot of kids hate), and most importantly that success is possible for everyone, and it is never too late! This has been, and still is, my mantra.”

Oke Martin, Renay’s grandmother’s brother, served as a private in the Māori Battalion.

“He demonstrated, like Ngarimu and many of our tīpuna who served alongside him, courage and leadership of the highest order,” says Renay.

She has taken strength from this legacy of courage as she begins her pursuit of reclaiming and strengthening her own reo through Te Tohu Paetahi at Te Whare Wananga ō Waikato.

“I am truly humbled and honoured to be a recipient of such a prestigious award and I recognise what the sacrifices our tīpuna, who served in the 28th Māori Battalion, have given me. I seek now to honour the mana of this award by ensuring I pass on my learnings to our tamariki and mokopuna,” she says.

“This award enables me to become the leader in education I dream of being; connected to my taha Māori, a strong wāhine Māori, just like my tīpuna.”

Julian Wilcox (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Te Arawa) – Doctoral Scholarship

Julian Wilcox isn’t a man who blows his own trumpet. His long list of achievements and accolades speak for themselves.

Regarded as a class act in the world of journalism in both mainstream and te ao Māori, Julian is an award-winning broadcaster who has graced our television screens and airwaves for more than three decades.

Every Tuesday night, you will find Julian asking the hard questions as host of Māori current affairs show
The Hui.

The fluent te reo Māori speaker has worn many hats over the years, including being a founding member of Māori Television, a lecturer at Auckland University of Technology and the chief operating officer at Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.

However, away from the cameras and microphones and his often very public roles, Julian’s inquisitive mind and thirst for education has led him on a lifelong learning journey.

And soon, that dedication to “wanting to know more” and taking advantage of every learning opportunity that has come his way will mean Julian will add Doctor of Philosophy to his name and list of achievements.

The Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Doctoral Scholarship recipient for 2022/23 is currently completing a Doctor of Philosophy in Indigenous Studies at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi.

The value of a good education was instilled in Julian from a very early age. The Te Aute College old boy got his first job at a radio station while he was still at high school.

In the late 1990s, he gained a Bachelor of Arts in Politics, Māori and Education from Victoria University of Wellington, all while putting in the hard toil in his pursuit of a career in broadcasting.

His education hasn’t just taken place in a classroom. Julian’s been inspired and schooled by many over the years including Ngāpuhi scholar Dr Patrick Hohepa and tohunga and Maramataka expert Rereata Makiha.

Willie Apiata VC, winner of the Doctoral Ngarimu Scholarship Julian Wilcox, Tā Robert Gillies, and Associate Minister of Education Kelvin Davis.

Willie Apiata VC, winner of the Doctoral Ngarimu Scholarship Julian Wilcox, Tā Robert Gillies, and Associate Minister of Education Kelvin Davis.

Many hats

Julian has built a glowing reputation as a well-respected academic who is often called on in an advisory capacity, and a polished master of ceremonies at events including Te Matatini, the national kapa haka festival.

A proud member of Te Māhurehure hapū from the Hokianga in the Far North, you will often find Julian fulfilling a number of different roles at Te Māhurehure Marae and Conference Centre in Pt Chevalier in Auckland.

Busy is an understatement when it comes to describing the life Julian leads, but the responsibilities that come with all the hats he wears are ones he takes seriously, especially when it comes to education – his own and that of others.

Julian says he feels extremely humbled to follow in the footsteps of previous scholarship recipients, some of whom are members of his whānau.

There are many benefits to receiving such a prestigious award, he says.

Most importantly this scholarship will allow him to focus on his research and to meet with others to discuss and gather information about the great navigator and discoverer of Aotearoa – Kupe.

His thesis topic is “Te Ara a Kupe: Te haerenga mai a Kupe ki Aotearoa”.

Having been a television presenter during Anzac Day commemorations over the years, Julian understands deeply the significance of his scholarship as it pays tribute to the legacy of the 28th (Māori) Battalion and honours Te Moananui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu.

The Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships are open to Māori from all corners of the motu who are undertaking university study or vocational education and training, and demonstrate characteristic that align with the values of the 28th (Māori) Battalion.

The 2022/23 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships was livestreamed and recorded.

Watch the 2023 award presentation 

Key dates for applications for the 2023/2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships:

  • Tertiary Scholarships open in June and close in September 2023.
  • Vocational Education and Training Scholarships open in June and close in September 2023.
  • The Ngarimu Video Competition for students in Year 7–13 opens on Monday 1 May and closes on Friday 8 September 2023, and you can find out more about this on the Education website(external link).

Find out more about these prestigious scholarships and how to apply on the Education website(external link)

Ākonga from Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Koutu singing a waiata tautoko during the award ceremony.

Ākonga from Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Koutu singing a waiata tautoko during the award ceremony.

Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Learning Resource

The Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Learning Resource was developed by the Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship Fund Board for tamariki of all ages, whānau, kura and schools.

The resource fits within social studies and Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories in the Social Sciences learning area, and has three tasks.

Part One: An inquiry about the 28th (Māori) Battalion and Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu VC. This has two compulsory topics with guiding questions for each topic, and students will select one.

Part Two: An inquiry into different aspects of the 28th (Māori Battalion). There are four topics, and students will select one inquiry question from each topic.

Part Three: An individual inquiry project about a selected kaupapa. There are nine inquiry topics and students will select one topic to inquire into.

The resource kits have been sent to all primary and secondary schools, and kura.

Learn more at Kauwhatareo.(external link)

BY Education Gazette editors
Education Gazette | Tukutuku Kōrero, reporter@edgazette.govt.nz

Posted: 11:10 am, 11 May 2023

Get new listings like these in your email
Set up email alerts