Tawera Native School, near Ruatoki, was opened on 27 July 1931. The school’s Second World War memorial is a free-standing bell tower and shelter, known as Te Māungarongo (‘peace’), situated in the school grounds. This was unveiled by Mr T.A. Fletcher on 22 April 1948. The brass roll of honour (which some years ago was painted over) lists the names and ranks of six former pupils who were killed on active service and 32 who returned from active service.
Tūhoe’s last surviving 28th Māori Battalion veteran, Haare Te Nuku Ratana (listed on this memorial as Hare N. Ratana), died at the age of 94 on the morning of the day that these photographs were taken.
See: Tawera School Jubilee 1931-1981, Whakatane, 1981, pp. 4, 7 (ltd circ.)
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