The 28 Māori Battalion veterans, whānau and friends gathered in Whanganui for their annual reunion hosted by D Company from 20 to 22 February.

The weekend’s activities began with an emotional pōwhiri at Pūtiki Marae welcoming surviving veterans and their whānau to the rohe.

The reunion was also a time to remember those that have fallen and since the last reunion held at Te Poho o Rawiri Marae Gisborne 13 veterans have passed on, including president Jim Takarangi, who was looking forward to hosting everyone in his home town.

“We mourn the loss of our president Jim Takarangi and the other 12 veterans who have fallen since the last 28 Māori Battalion reunion,” says local organiser Ike Hunter.

The weekend continued with a journey up the Whanganui River, a trip to Palmerston North to visit the Māori Battalion Hall and the annual general meeting of the 28 Māori Battalion Association.

There are 53 remaining veterans of the more than 3,600 28 Māori Battalion soldiers and officers who went to war.