About 300 returned servicemen from the eastern North Island area marched from Te Poho-o-Rawiri Marae through Gisborne to the racecourse on June 8, 1919.
Gisborne closed for half a day and the town's population nearly doubled as visitors flocked to honour the soldiers.
Mr Hakiwai was quick to volunteer for the re-enactment arranged by historian Dr Monty Soutar with support from famed movie director Sir Peter Jackson.
Mr Hakiwai was initially concerned that at 60 years old, he was outside the age range sought, but eventually received an email informing him to attend training at Gisborne Girls' High School.
“I was the oldest one in the group.”
The 100 trainees from all over the North Island were asked to state why they had volunteered.
“I am extremely proud of my grandfather,” Mr Hakiwai told The Herald.
“I only found out about his war service five years ago. I have his war medals.”
All of his family were proud of the soldier who returned home but died in 1935 while still a young man.
“My grandmother said he never spoke of the war. He saw terrible things. He clammed up.”
The volunteers were diligent in their training, said Mr Hakiwai. They needed to look like soldiers.
“We were given .303 Lee-Enfield rifles by Peter Jackson. I saw a volunteer drop one during training.”
The volunteers were also taught about their tipuna's history, songs and haka of the era.
They were instructed how to march and carry a weapon by Dr Soutar, a former soldier himself who wrote the book Whiti! Whiti! Whiti E!: Maori in the First World War.
By the time of the re-enactment, the volunteers resembled soldiers, marching in time and wearing replica uniforms provided by Academy Award-winning director Jackson.
“It was unbelievable,” said Mr Hakiwai. “We had our timing. It was just awesome.”
Mr Hakiwai even received a “promotion”.
Initially he had trained as a private marching in rank and file and carrying a .303.
“But Monty discovered my grandfather was an officer.”
So Mr Hakiwai become one, too.
At 6am this Anzac Day (Saturday), wearing one of his grandfather's medals, Mr Hakiwai will stand at his letterbox and, like thousands of other New Zealanders, will take part in the RSA's Stand at Dawn virtual service.
As a rural resident, he will still be in his bubble.
At 9am he will be watching the Maori TV documentary in honour of all servicemen and women, those who returned and those who did not.
• Whitiki will screen at 9am and 4.30pm, Saturday, April 25 on Maori Television and will also be available online at maoritelevision.com
