Air Training Corps leading air cadets Lincoln Brosnahan (15), Joey Cropley and Preston Repia-King (both 16) and cadets Tony Poni and Ian Repia-King (14) moved the crowd with their haka yesterday, at the commemoration service in the Garden of Memories.
Lincoln said he joined the Air Training Corps in 2020 and when the other four boys joined last year, he had said ‘‘why don’t we do a haka?’’
Lincoln gave a karakia (prayer), representing peace, integrity and coming together, before turning towards where the wreaths had been laid for the haka.
It was special to be able to signify the day with the haka, Lincoln said.
‘‘It’s to remember the ones that served — past and present.’’
Preston said it was important to the group, which is also part of the Waitaki Boys’ High School kapa haka group, to represent their culture and where they came from.
Those at the service spoke to the group at the end, thanking them for their haka, and noting their appreciation of its significance to mark the occasion.
