New Zealanders and Australians took part in the unveiling ceremony of a monument dedicated to Australians, New Zealanders and Maori who took part in the heroic battle known as the Battle of 42nd Street in Tsikalaria, Crete, on May 27, 1941.

The battle began on May 20 when Nazi Germany launched an airborne invasion of Crete. A week later, the British and Commonwealth forces withdrew towards Canea, while a force of understrength Australian and New Zealand soldiers fought against the German army along the Hania to Tsikalaria road south-east of Canae causing heavy casualties on German attackers.

The haka dance is a traditional war cry from the Maori people of New Zealand.

The dance was performed at the ceremony on Crete as a memorial of the heroic battle that took place there.