This pou kara or flagstaff memorial records and honours the names of 77 men from Ngāti Maniapoto who served overseas during the Great War. Twelve men lost their lives. These men have a star next to their name.
The memorial was unveiled on 11 November 1919. It was funded by a collection amongst the tribe in July of that year when memories of the war were still very much vivid. The King Country Chronicle reported that it was a notable gathering, Māori from all parts coming to attend the ceremony. Dr Maui Pomare, M.P. for Western Māori, unveiled the monument. Mr. W. T. Jennings, the local M.P., remarked:
“This noble monument … would stand for all time as a record of the splendid deeds that had been performed and of our reverence for the sacrifices that had been made.”[1]