Freedom To Live

Raised in Kaitaia and now based in London, singer/songwriter Jayson Norris has written a sentimental song to honour the efforts of the 28th Maori Battalion and is in New Zealand to perform the song at Kotahi te Wairua, Maori Television’s annual Anzac Day commemorative concert.

Titled ‘Freedom To Live’, the song stands as a mark of respect and a means for remembering our forefathers who fought in the wars for our freedom. It is also a personal homage from Jayson Norris to his late grandfather Charlie Norris who was in the 7th Reinforcement, a company of the 28th Maori Battalion and a Regimental Sargeant Major for the NZ Army, serving our country for more than five years overseas.

The song has already been well received with the 28 Maori Battalion choosing Freedom To Live as a tribute song to play at their Crete and Greece ceremony this May, and Apple have selected the song to feature in a special Anzac digital package put together for iTunes.

The accompanying music video features a gravelly collection of historical photos and footage depicting soldiers and scenes from the war from both the Norris family and NZ archives. These are layered with footage of Jayson Norris performing the song on his acoustic guitar resulting in a truly moving reflection on the significance of the 28th Maori Battalion soldiers to all generations of New Zealanders.