The Matakohe Riding First World War roll of honour was unveiled in the Matakohe hall in 1921. This was a large kauri tablet which listed the names of 75 men who had seen active service during the war. An equally substantial Second World War roll of honour was unveiled in 1948. Both rolls of honour were placed in the new Matakohe Riding Memorial Hall when this was opened by Sir Arthur Harper on 25 April 1959.
A red granite plaque at the hall’s entrance is inscribed with the names of 10 local men who gave their lives in the Second World War.
See: Paparoa, Matakohe & Districts Centennial, Whangārei, 1962, pp. 7-8; ‘Survey of War memorials’ (file at Matakohe Kauri Museum, 2002-774).
Images: Andrea Hemmins/Matakohe Kauri Museum, 2010
Text: Bruce Ringer, 2017