The 28 Māori Battalion flag was raised for the first time with the full honours during a ceremony at Ōhinemutu, on the shores of Lake Rotorua. Photo: RNZ/ Pokere Paewai
For the first time ever a flag bearing the full battle honours of the 28 Māori Battalion has been publicly displayed.
The award of 42 Campaign and Battle Honours was presented by the New Zealand Army, to be recognised for the first time in 76 years.
The formal award meant the battalion could now display its battle and military traditions.
And the flag bearing the honours was raised this morning by the last remaining member of the battalion, Tā Robert 'Bom' Gillies at Ōhinemutu, on the shores of Lake Rotorua.
Tā Robert 'Bom' Gillies Photo: RNZ/ Pokere Paewai
"It's a pity they waited so long and all my comrades are all passed on. I happen to be fortunate enough to be the last one, so in honour of them it'll be great," Sir Robert said.
The flag was commissioned by historian Dr Harawira Pearless on behalf of Sir Robert, and was named 'Ake Ake Kia Kaha,' after the motto of the Māori Battalion.
Historian Dr Harawira Pearless Photo: RNZ/ Pokere Paewai
Pearless said battle honours on the flag commemorated the battles and burial grounds of the battalion.
"The 28 Māori Battalion Campaign and Battle Honours flag is the pā whakawairua, it's the anchor stone of 28 Māori Battalion's military traditions and histories.
"It has not been seen before with all 42 Campaign and Battle Honours on display," he said.
Pearless said Sir Robert was the only person with the mana to raise the flag.
"Tā Bom Gillies is the representation of the battalion.
"There were 3500 men that went, there were 650 men who never came home. He carries the rangatiratanga of the battalion as we know it today," he said.
The ceremony today, at Ōhinemutu Photo: RNZ/ Pokere Paewai
Sir Robert was humble about his part in the battalion's story, and initially had refused to accept a knighthood.
"That doesn't belong to me. It belongs to the 3500 plus men who served in the battalion - in all the battalion's campaigns, which we've put on the flag," he said.
But he was happy to see the battalion finally receive this recognition.
"I have no idea why [the crown] dragged the chain. But apart from that, today is the day when it all settled."
Originally the plan was to present the flag at Waitangi today, but Sir Robert's whānau had asked for the ceremony to happen closer to home.
Sir Robert would also present the flag at Waitangi on 18 February.