The Battalion

St Patrick’s and St Catherine’s Colleges
In association with Te Rakau Trust present

The Battalion

Directed by Jim Moriarty
Written by Helen Pearse-Otene

A moving story about friendship, loyalty, madness and redemption – seen through the eyes of Paora Matene, a war veteran, and relayed to his wayward charges Rimini and George. Sent back to their Whanau in the “one cow town” of Tamariri, Rimini and George aren’t interested in any of the locals or their family history – they just want to get back to the city. It was the same for five young men in 1939. Drawn in by the excitement of war, they run away to the army and join the 28th Maori Battalion. Thus begins their adventure of a lifetime, from their training in England to their first encounter with the enemy in Greece. The two stories collide and the past confronted with the youngsters learning valuable life lessons.