Te Ahi Ka –Keep the home fires burning

By Charlene Williamson

In late 2022 2nd/1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (RNZIR) was gifted a family korowai – Te Ahi Ka (keep the home fires burning) from the Neale family. LTCOL Cory Neale served as Commanding Officer from 2020–2022.

The modern piece was crafted in Canterbury by Toni Neale (Ngāi Tahu) and was designed and created over a few weeks in late 2021.

“The piece was made to acknowledge the support system behind the person in uniform. The sacrifices made by wives/partners/significant others are sometimes massive and often go unseen.

“I wanted the design to acknowledge those that have come before us and those that will come after us, and that 2/1 is at the heart of everything you in during your time here,” she said.

Te Ahi Ka was blessed at the New Zealand Army Marae in Waiouru before making its journey to 2/1 RNZIR.

“We wanted it to be blessed at the home of the Army in Waiouru, and follow the same journey as our people in uniform do, so it holds the right level of mana/importance.

“Wearing a korowai is an honour and a mantle of prestige,” Mrs Neale said.

we received an official welcome and met key players, such as the Defence Advisor team, the High Commissioner and our MFAT counterparts. We learned how and what a High Commission does and how it serves New Zealand interests in Australia. Visiting the Australian War Memorial was a poignant moment and highly recommended for anyone visiting Canberra wishing to pay their respects to fallen comrades.

“Overall, we were all incredibly grateful for this opportunity and look forward to further occasions where we can work closely with our Australian counterparts.”

“So on formal occasions or when a suitable occasion arises, it is there to be worn as an acknowledgment of their support for the person in uniform,” Mrs Neale said.

The black and white centre of the korowai recognises the importance of the unit and places it at the heart of everything. The design above and below represents the whakapapa, or lineage of those that have come before, as well as those who will come after.

Mrs Neale said the idea is that in a small moment of reflection by the person in uniform it will honour their significant other/ family member as recognition of their ongoing support.

“It was an absolute honour seeing it being presented for the first time during the handover parade and, we hope that it will be worn and enjoyed by many in the years to come.”

More of Toni’s work can be found at Korowai Designs by T on Facebook.