Army caterers back up tangihanga for the Māori King

The soldiers set up three field kitchens at the Tūrangawaewae Marae, and from there helped produce thousands of meals for the mourners who converged on the marae to pay their respects and say farewell to King Tuuheitia.

Liaison officer Commander TJ Thompson, RNZN (Tainui, Ngāti Hauā, Ngāti Pāoa) said last Sunday was the first day the marae was open to the motu, and that’s when the soldiers began producing meals to feed the thousands who had gathered.

“The morale of the team was very high. The hau kainga (marae whanau) made a point of including the catering detachment in the Poo Whakamanawa (celebration of Tuuheitia) one night.

“The soldiers, along with other kai mahi (working staff) were given the honour of being brought to the front of the mahau (where King Tuuheitia lay in state) to be recognised for their efforts. It was a moving gesture of appreciation on behalf of Tūrangawaewae,” he said.

The soldiers brought three field kitchens with them, believing they would only use two. In the end they used all three. They had maintainers with them to attend to any problems.

Marae staff prepared the food, and the Army caterers cooked it. On one day, they cooked 9,000 meals.

Were there crowd favourites? “The creamed paua was exceptional apparently,” said CDR Thompson. “Although the boil up and crayfish went down well too.

He says the team “felt the aroha. The detachment was fully integrated and working as one. It was a huge privilege to be able to provide support”.