-
Sarndra Lees commented on Edmonds cookery book
-
Sarndra Lees commented on Kowai Bush war memorial
-
Sarndra Lees commented on The steamer Penguin
-
Sarndra Lees commented on Le Quesnoy memorial, 2000
-
Appleton commented on Members of 27 Battalion on Crete
Pioneer Battalion flag
This First World War New Zealand Maori Pioneer Battalion flag is attributed to Captain Pirimi Tahiwi.
In the centre of the flag is a red crown with a taiaha (spear) and Tewhatewha (long-handled axe-shaped club) through the centre. The wording around the crown reads: 'TE HOKO WHITU A TU N-Z-N-C', with New Zealand Maori Contingent and N.Z. Pioneers all in red.
The motto 'Te Hokowhitu a Tu' means 'The 70 twice-told warriors of the War God'.
Image courtesy National Army Museum Te Mata Toa
Accession Number: 1984.1628
Permission of the National Army Museum Te Mata Toa must be obtained before any reuse of this image.
Delicious
StumbleUpon
Reddit
Facebook
Google
YahooHow to cite this page: 'Pioneer Battalion flag', URL: http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/photo/pioneers-flag, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 3-Mar-2010
Thanks for this, Jock - we've updated the caption now.
Kia ora
Jamie Mackay
Senior Web Editor
www.nzhistory.net.nz
The two weapons on the Flag (crest) of the WW1 Maori Battalion are a Taiaha (the pointed one ) and a Tewhatewha (looks a bit like an axe.)
The terms spear and club are misnomers.
Community contributions