Maori soldiers in Malaya now have their own permanent meeting-house. The new marae, named for Tumatuaenga, god of war, was designed by a Maori Officer, Captain Joseph Brosnahan, of Wairoa, and it was dedicated recently by Padre Hui Vercoe, of Opotiki.

The inside of the building is complete with a spectacular geyser, created by playing water on porous heated stones and using special lighting on the rising stones. This provides a reminder of New Zealand's tourist attractions.

The first formal gathering on the marae was the battalion's farewell to the Commander-in-Chief of British forces in Malaya, General Sir Nigel Poett. Five hundred visitors were entertained by Maori songs and hakas before attending a hangi.