This memorial stands at the gateway to what was the site of the Ngā Ariki marae, Waipapa (aka Moumāhaki). In 2004 and again in 2006 the marae was flooded by the Waitōtara River and in 2008 it was moved to a less flood-prone site nearby. Some of the surviving marae buildings were moved to the new site at this time.
The memorial incudes one plaque on the front and three on the back. The plaques commemorate men from the area who served in the Second World War.
Transcript of plaques (from Kete New Plymouth):
Inset marble plaque at front apex of arch
Memorial
Dedicated to the memory
Of Willie Karipa
Killed in action
Alamein Sept 4 1942
Inset marble plaque at rear apex of arch
He whaka mahara kia
Wiri Karipa
Hinga a he pakanga
Alamein Sept 4 1942
Inset marble plaque on left lower rear of arch
In memory of
Cpl G W Pokai killed
in action Italy 1-6-44
W Werata [Killed in action]
Alamein 26-10-44 [sic]
Hinga matou mote iwi
hei konei
Inset marble plaque on right rear of arch
Lest we Forget
2nd Lt John Sullivan
Tieketahi
2nd Maori Battalion
2nd NZEF
Who also served in
Great War 1914-1918
Kaore he Aroha i rite ki tenei
i tuku i tona tinana ki te Mate
Note: Commonwealth War Graves Commission lists Cpl George Wiremu Pokau, 35542, 1-6-44, Cassino Cemetery: William Wereta, 65390, 26-10-1942, El Alamein Cemetery: Wiri Karipa, 62549, 4-9-42, El Alamein Cemetery.
See also entries for Geoge Pokau, William Wereta, Wiri Karipa and John Kotuku Sullivan on the 28 (Maori) Battalion website.
For more information about the fate of the marae see ‘Meeting house on the move’ (Wanganui Chronicle, 13 Nov 2008)
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