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New Zealand First Pays Tribute to Māori Battalion Member
Rt Hon Winston Peters
New Zealand First Leader
28
November 2013
New Zealand First Pays Tribute to Māori Battalion Member
New Zealand First has paid
their respects to Ngapotiki Tauhu Hopkinson, who was one of
the last remaining members of the 28th Māori Battalion, and
who passed away near Christchurch yesterday.
Mr Hopkinson, when very young, served with the Maori Battalion which saw action in Greece, Crete, North Africa and Italy.
Leader Rt Hon Winston Peters says the Battalion suffered an appalling casualty rate, almost 50 per cent higher than other New Zealand infantry battalions.
“Serving abroad, Mr Hopkinson suffered a disability but was not allowed to be formally discharged. However, when he returned home he received a pension, even though it was only a pittance, for someone suffering a “war neurosis” after five years in the army.
“He later returned to the army and served in the artillery.
“Mr Hopkinson is saluted as one more brave New Zealand solider, who put his life on the line for his country.
“New Zealand First sends its condolences to his near and wider Hopkinson family”, says Mr Peters.
ENDS
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