A commemoration of service, a ceremony of remembrance and a celebration of life and fellowship was held at Te Māhurehure Marae today, and among those honoured by their Northern descendants was Captain Harding Waipuke Leaf, who not only fought in one world war but also went to the Second World War but sadly never returned.
The people and the marae of Te Māhurehure call together the people of the North on this special day being their home away from home.
Waihoroi Shortland says, “Te Māhurehure marae becomes a place for those of us, at times like this, who can't make it home to our tribal areas to physically partake in the unity of this occasion.”
Peeni Henare says, “That's the great thing about these Auckland-based city marae, any tribe can use them for these sorts of occasions.”
The families paid homage to their relatives who fought in the wars; a special mention for one soldier, Captain Harding Waipuke Leaf, for his bravery not only at the First World War.
Waihoroi Shortland says, “He went as a young man to WWI, which we commemorate 100 years today and then he went back again to battle in WWII.”
Waipuke Anderson says, “We brought along a picture of him and stood it alongside the others so everyone can remember him.”
Although they have passed on, the young generation are here to carry the names and to uphold the legacy left by those who did not grow old.
