Video & Waiata Competitions

Here you can view the winning entries from the annual Ngarimu video and waiata | song competitions.

The video competition was first available to ākonga in 2019 and 2024 was the inaugural waiata composition competition.

The purpose of the competitions is to honour the legacy of Victoria Cross winner Second Lieutenant Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu and members of the 28th (Māori) Battalion. They encourage ākonga to express their knowledge and personal connections to the 28th (Māori) Battalion through waiata or video.

The competitions are open to all Māori ākonga in years 7–13. Entrants can compose a waiata or produce a video as individuals, groups or schools. There are two prize categories: te reo Māori and English or bilingual.

Find out more on the Ministry of Education website. This QR code links to the information via your phone: open the camera, hold your phone steady in front the QR code, then tap the link that pops up.

2025 Video Te Reo Māori

Skyla Storm Ngawaki Te Moana
Iwi: Te Whānau a Apanui

School: Te Kura Mana Māori o Maraenui

Video title: Koro Te Ua Keepa

Skyla is currently in Year 11 at Te Kura Mana Māori o Maraenui in Maraenui.

She says receiving this award is a special honour that means a great deal to her and her whānau.

“It feels uplifting to have my hard work recognised and I’m proud to help carry the stories of my tūpuna forward.”

In her video, Skyla speaks about her koroua, Private Te Uaaterangi Keepa who served in C Company of the 28th Māori Battalion and was killed in action at the age of 31. He is buried at the Florence War Cemetery in Italy.

She says his service represents courage, leadership and loyalty.

“Their sacrifices shaped the world we live in, and I am committed to carrying their stories forward so their bravery is never forgotten.”

She adds that the award strengthens her confidence as she works toward University Entrance.

2025 Video Bilingual

Florence Kararaina Grace
Iwi: Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Ngāti Tarāwhai, Te Whānau a Apanui

Video title: Has the Price of Citizenship for our tūpuna become a mortgage upon our own whare tapawhā

Florence is pursuing a conjoint degree in Te Reo Māori and Law at Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato | The University of Waikato. A former Head Girl of Rotorua Girls’ High School, she says her time as a prefect strengthened her sense of service and responsibility to her community.

In her video, she reflects on her connections to both the Pioneer Battalion and the 28th (Māori) Battalion through her koroua, Lieutenant Kepa Hāmuera Ānaha Ehau and Private Hone Kira Whareaitu. Their service reminds her of the sacrifices made by Māori soldiers and the cost carried by their whānau.

She also speaks about the name, passed down from her tupuna kuia in memory of the place where her pāpā, Private Hone Kira Whareaitu, passed before her birth, a legacy she carries with pride.

“I carry the legacy of my tūpuna and their service and that connection strengthens my commitment to my goals. This award acknowledges both where I come from and the work I’ve put in.”

She says the award provides encouragement and valuable support towards the costs of tertiary study.

2025 Waiata Te Reo Māori

Hineata Durie-Soutar
Iwi: Ngāti Porou, Rangitāne, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Whakatere, Ngāti Kauwhata, Ngāti Awa

Waiata title: Hoki wairua ki a au

Hineata is the lead composer for the waiata ‘Hoki wairua ki a au’, co-written with Rakeitekura Rauhihi. Both ākonga attend Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Mana Tamariki in Te Papaioea | Palmerston North.

Hineata says she is grateful to receive this award for her waiata which honours their tipuna koroua, Wiremu Rangi Akuira, who fought in the Second World War and never returned home.

‘Hoki wairua ki a au’ was composed during a kapa haka wānanga for kura and was inspired by stories shared by their pāpā, who visited the cemetery in Italy where their tipuna koroua rests.

“It was written as a waiata tangi for our tipuna koroua and in honour of all the brave men of the 28th Māori Battalion who lie far from home. They will never be forgotten.”

“Losing someone who provides for the whānau, upholds tikanga and carries whakapapa leaves a deep and lasting grief. This is the emotion we felt when composing the waiata.”

Hineata shares that the olive branch referred to in the waiata symbolises the olive trees of Italy, where Wiremu Rangi Akuira died. Unable to bring home his bones or soil, their Pāpā planted an olive tree in their urupā, Moengaroa, in the homeland of Wiremu Rangi Akuira and his whānau, Rangiotu.

“The Italian verses are translations of the Māori lyrics. We don’t speak Italian so we used our creativity to express our message. Our hope is that, carried by the wind, these words might make their way to Udine in Italy where our tipuna koroua rests.”

2025 Waiata Bilingual

Mahaki Chambers
Iwi: Ngāti Porou

Waiata title: Brothers in Battle

Ko Marotiri te maunga
Ko Waitakeo te awa
Ko Te Whānau a Ruataupare me Te Aotawarirangi ngā hapū
Ko Ngāti Porou te iwi. Ko Horouta te waka
Ko Mahaki Rawiri Chambers ahau

Mahaki was born and raised in Tokomaru Bay on the East Coast and is now a Year 9 ākonga at Tolaga Bay Area School. He is the lead composer of the waiata ‘Brothers in Battle’ which was co-written by Ruby Boyd and Nova Karanga.

Mahaki says his interest in music began when he started at Tolaga Bay Area School, where access to a fully equipped music room helped him explore different instruments and develop his confidence.

“With a fully equipped music room at school, I had the opportunity to try different instruments, practise regularly and grow my confidence as a young Māori musician.”

His passion for songwriting grew after competing at Smokefree Bandquest, an experience that encouraged him to start creating his own music.

“It was a big moment for me and showed me how much I enjoy writing music.”

Mahaki shares that writing the waiata ‘Brothers in Battle’ for the Ngarimu Competition has been an important step in his journey, helping him to develop skills and grow as a young Māori artist.

“Writing the waiata Brothers in Battle for the Ngarimu Waiata Competition has been a significant part of my journey and I am really grateful for everything I’ve learned along the way.”

2024 Video Bilingual

Marlow Winder
Iwi: Te Arawa

School: Rosmini College

Video title: The Price of Citizenship

Marlow is a student at Rosmini College in Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland.

He shares that this award reflects his passion for his whānau and the deep connection to his whakapapa.

Marlow explains that this award represents his journey towards a greater understanding of who he is and of those who came before him, particularly those who fought with bravery in World War I and World War II.

“Participating in this kaupapa was as much about self- discovery as it was about raising awareness of the past; the stories of my ancestors and the sacrifices they made on foreign land for the benefit of their people.”

“This award not only validates the hard work and effort I put into this project but also the message it conveys – our price of citizenship.”

Marlow shares that his great grandfather, Henry Sainsbury, fought in World War II and was stationed in Crete and Egypt.

“This project makes me wish that he was still alive today so I could thank him for all the sacrifices he and his generation made.”

2024 Waiata Te Reo Māori

Te Kani ā Takirau Porter
Iwi: Te Whakatōhea, Te Whānau a Apanui, Ngāti Porou

School: Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngā Uri-a-Māui

Waiata title: I te Pō, I te Ata

Te Kani ā Takirau is a student at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngā Uri-a-Māui in Tūranganui-a-Kiwa | Gisborne.

He shares that he was encouraged to enter this competition by his aunties Chloe and Jodi Porter who suggested he compose a waiata about his tipuna kuia Mātiria Waiapu and his tipuna koroua Patariki Valentine Porter.

With the support of his whānau and kura, Te Kani ā Takirau composed the waiata ‘I te Pō, I te Ata’.

“I wrote this song to express the love of my tipuna koroua for all of his mokopuna and also for his son, my grandfather, who grew up without his father due to Koro Patariki being at war. The true story behind the song is the joy my Koro Patariki would have felt when he was able to return home to his loved ones.”

Te Kani ā Takirau says this award is important to him and he is proud to represents his whānau and kura in such a significant kaupapa.

2024 Waiata Bilingual

Edward Ngatai Braybrook & Puhiraumoa Milner
Iwi: Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti, Ngāti Porou

School: Tolaga Bay Area School & Kahukuranui

Waiata title: They Fought On

Edward and Puhiraumoa are the lead composers of the waiata ‘They Fought On’ and were supported by their band members Chase, Taikorekore, Raymond and Taylor who are all students at Tolaga Bay Area School & Kahukuranui in Ūawa | Tolaga Bay. Together they form a band of rangathi Māori from Te Aitanga a Hauiti.

The band called ‘Copium’ have been playing together for two years. They love learning covers and composing waiata.

The band shares that it was their music teacher who encouraged them to enter this competition.

“While learning about our whakapapa through our tipuna Hingangaroa and the legacy he left behind, we realised that our song was relevant not only to him but to all our tīpuna especially those who served in the 28th (Māori) Battalion.”

The band expresses how excited they are to put Ūawa | Tolaga Bay on the map with such an award and to sing about their tīpuna, honouring the legacy they have left behind for them.

2024 Video Highly Commended

Maia Stone
Iwi: Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngai Tahu

School: Western Springs College

Video title: He Whawhai Mutunga Kore | The Never Ending Fight

Maia Stone’s entry stood out to the Board for its creativity and depth. The entry expressed Maia’s artistic talent and cultural heritage. The Board placed this entry in 2024 bilingual category as exemplary and it was highly commended.

2023 Video Te Reo Māori

Hinemaiaia Pitiroi
Iwi: Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāpuhi

School: Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Whakarewa | Te Reo ki Tūwharetoa, Taupō

Video title: He raumahara

Hinemaiaia is an ākonga at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Whakarewa | Te Reo ki Tūwharetoa in Taupō. She says it is an honour to receive a Ngarimu Video Award for bringing to life the story of her tupuna koroua, Iapeta Morehu, and his time serving in the First World War.

“It is very important to keep the memories of our tūpuna alive,” says Hinemaiaia.

Kaiako at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Whakarewa say they are proud of the efforts Hinemaiaia has put in to creating her film ‘He raumahara’ and are thrilled to be a part of this kaupapa.

“Getting involved in kaupapa such as this plays an important part in preserving the history of the 28th (Māori) Battalion and of Māori hōia who have fought in battles across the world,” says the kaiako.

2023 Video Bilingual

Ngaawaimarino Simpkins
Iwi: Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Tuhourangi, Ngāti Wahiao, Ngāpuhi

School: Rangitoto College

Video title: Iti rearea, teitei Kahikatea ka taea

Ngaawaimarino is Head Girl at Rangitoto College in Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland. As a part of her Year 12 Te Reo Māori Programme, she was learning about Māori warfare and says through this became aware of her Papa Hui’s involvement with the Māori Battalion.

“I wanted to learn more about my Papa Hui so I combined two of my favourite subjects, Te Reo Māori and Media Studies, and returned to Rotorua to create a resource that brings to life a part of my Papa Hui’s time in the army.”

Kataraina, a kaiako at Rangitoto College, says many of the ākonga at the school live away from their marae, and kaupapa such as the Ngarimu Video Competition provides ākonga with an opportunity to learn about the proud traditions of the Māori Battalion and connect with their whānau.

Ngaawaimarino film ‘Iti rearea, teitei Kahikatea ka taea’ will be used as an example in the school’s Tū Rangatira Programme where ākonga are encouraged to research their whakapapa and return to their kāinga to learn about who they are and where they come from.

2022 Video Te Reo Māori

Watarawi Te Moana
Iwi: Tūhoe, Ngāti Awa

Paretaapua Tipene
Iwi: Tūhoe, Ngāti Awa

Eru Harawira
Iwi: Tūhoe, Ngāi Te Rangi

Tanekaha Rangi
Iwi: Tūhoe, Ngāti Tūwharetoa

School: Te Wharekura o Ruatoki

Video title: George Takurua

The short film by the ākonga is a story about Lance Corporal George Takurua who served in the 28th (Māori) Battalion’s B-Company.

George was a Māori soldier from Ruatoki who died fighting in the battle for Cassino in Italy during World War II. He demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and did all he could to protect his fellow soldiers before succumbing to his own injuries.

The short film was made in remembrance of George’s bravery and sacrifice.

2022 Video Bilingual

Hinerangi Nicholas
Iwi: Tūhoe, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngati Ranginui, Kuki Airani

Paretaapua Tipene
Iwi: Tūhoe, Ngāti Awa

Eru Harawira
Iwi: Tūhoe, Ngāi Te Rangi

Tanekaha Rangi
Iwi: Tūhoe, Ngāti Tūwharetoa

School: Te Wharekura o Ruatoki

Video title: Anituatua Black

The short film by the ākonga illustrates the moving story of Hinerangi’s late kuia, Anituatua Black, and the life she shared with her husband Sergeant Tai Paraki, a war veteran of the 28th (Māori) Battalion.

Anituatua was an academic and author, a tohunga of te reo Māori me ōna tikanga and was one of the last widows of the 28th (Māori) Battalion.

She was a loyal and supportive wife who was acknowledged for her part, as a widow, in the history of the formidable 28th (Māori) Battalion.

2021 Video Te Reo Māori

Kararaina Parata
Iwi: Te-Whānau-ā-Apanui, Ngāti Porou, Tūhoe

School: Te Kura Mana Māori o Whangaparāoa

Video title: Henare Mōkena Kōhere

Greetings. I am 14 years old and in Year 11 at Te Kura Mana Māori o Whangaparāoa. I really love to cook.

It is my pleasure to conduct research about my ancestor Henare Mōkena Kōhere. To me, he was a leader of Ngāti Porou.

It was indeed sad that he died overseas during the First World War. He was unable to see his family in person before his death. The majority of information about him I garnered from my grandmother, as she could recall the stories she heard while growing up. With lots of love.

2021 Video Bilingual

Tīmoti Karetai
Iwi: Kāi Tahu, Kāti Mamoe, Waitaha me Te Ātiawa

Māui Passarello
Iwi: Itari (Agrigento, Veneto), Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Wairoa, Tūhoe, Cook Islands

School: Hato Paora Māori Boys College

Video title: He Kōrero Tuku Iho – Poua Sgt George Ellison

Tīmoti

I am proud to be a Ngarimu scholarship award recipient. The video Māui and I made was about my great-grandfather, and his son (my Poua). So, this is incredibly important to me and our whānau.

I am honoured that I could contribute in some way to upholding his memory and that of all our tūpuna who were in the Māori Battalion. My Mum is supporting me to go to Hato Paora College, which was my choice, and we live at Ōtākou, Dunedin, so I mihi to you for this financial award.

Māui

I’m mainly happy that we could achieve this for Tīmoti and his whānau in memory of their Poua George Ellison and all those who served our country, and their whānau.

The competition helped me to learn a lot about the Māori Battalion and also about their time in Italy, which is my father’s home country. My family in Italy knows all about the Māori Battalion and making the connection between my two tūrangawaewae was special.

It’s cool that our school also got some money; I’m hoping it can be put towards keeping us connected to family and friends because we’re pretty isolated in the hostel which is out in a rural place.

2020 Video Te Reo Māori

Anahera Te Moana
Iwi: Te Whānau-a-Apanui, Ngāti Porou, Te Arawa

School: Te Kura Mana Māori o Whangaparāoa

Video title: Koro Te Ua Keepa

I was proud that my hard work, and that my whānau, hapū and iwi were recognised. I see this as a win for us all. The project was fun for me because I was studying my own tīpuna, Koro Te Ua Keepa. I was able to make meaningful connections.  

My koro, Te Ua Keepa, lies in foreign soils in the Florence War Cemetery in Italy. I’m proud that my kura, Te Kura Mana Māori o Whangaparāoa travelled to Italy to pay their respects to him and the others from the 28th (Māori) Battalion. The purpose of these maumahara trips is to follow in the footsteps of the Battalion. Seeing the rows upon rows of gravestones made me realise the true price of citizenship. Looking down at Māori names and seeing their ages saddens me. I see it as my duty to honour them. Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou | We will remember them.

I am proud to be Māori. I am proud of my tīpuna who served in the 28th (Māori) Battalion. I believe it is important for rangatahi to learn about their tīpuna who fought for our freedom. They need to connect to their marae and ask about the photos hanging on the walls. To attend Anzac Days and keep their stories alive. Digitising their stories is one way that can help rangatahi connect so they are aware of the sacrifices our tīpuna made.

2020 Video Bilingual

Jessica Jenkins
Iwi: Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-a-Rua

School: Tawa College

Video title: A Small Hawk in the Rising Sun

I was motivated to enter the Ngarimu video competition not for the contest itself but for its purpose. I believe it is important that rangatahi have the opportunity to reflect, remember and empower our tīpuna that served in the 28th (Māori) Battalion. The competition provides a fantastic vessel of communication for students all around the motu to bring forth the stories of their tīpuna.

Fortunately, my hapū whānau provided great support in assisting with the content of my video. I was able to work with Lillian Wells, daughter of Te Raetea Kahu Paku, who is embedded within the mana of my whakapapa; he served as a soldier in the 28th (Māori) Battalion and was taken prisoner of war. I knew that Lillian's incredible personal research deserved to be digitalised when she sent it to me – it was extensive, enlightening and a great tribute to her father's experiences.

I admit that I didn’t fully appreciate the prestige that is associated with the Ngarimu video competition. I tend to pursue things in life simply because I aspire to the resulting impact that my mahi may possess. When I found out that I had placed first, it was a lovely surprise – I thoroughly enjoyed crafting my video and was proud of the end result. Above all, this video was created in remembrance of Te Raetea Kahu Paku, and it stands as a tribute to him. Winning is a bonus to the taonga of remembrance. 