From the Gisborne Herald:

Maori Battalion’s efforts for town never forgotten
by Staff Reporters
Saturday, 13 January, 2007

Gisborne members of the Maori Battalion and their families were honoured with a special emissary from Faenza, a small town in Italy, to mark the 62nd anniversary of Faenza’s liberation from the Nazis.

The NZ Division and the Maori Battalion share an intimate history with the people of this small northern Italian town, an hour from Bologna.

In December, 1944, the Maori Battalion played a part in the liberation of the city. A strong relationship was formed and has been cemented over the years, culminating in a tour there in 1999 of 160 Maori from the East Coast/Gisborne region.

Twenty years of research by two authors Enzo Casadio and Massimo Valli resulted in a sell-out book called The Battle of Faenza, published in 2004. It features the 28 Maori Battalion.

The author’s daughter Chiara Casadio, 21, visited Nga Taonga o Nga Tama Toa Trust — made up of veterans and family representatives of men who served in 28 Maori Battalion from the Tairawhiti region. They are responsible for the C Company, 28 Maori Battalion collection in the museum.

She presented a copy of her father’s book to the Mayor of Gisborne.

She spoke of her city’s gratitude to New Zealand and members of the Maori Battalion for the sacrifice they made in bringing liberation to their families.

She told them of the celebrations in her town on Saturday, December 16, the 62nd Anniversary of their liberation. As a mark of respect, the Mayor of Faenza visited the local British Commonwealth Military Cemetery, where at least 180 New Zealand soldiers lie.

One of them was Second Lieutenant Sam Paniora, of the 28 Maori Battalion, from Ruatoria.

Relationships that began during the war have endured and the next generation is continuing the friendship between the two peoples.

Chiara Casadio is the fourth young person this year to arrive from Faenza to visit 2nd Lt Paniora’s family in this district. His nephew is Dr Monty Soutar, director of Tairawhiti Museum.