New Zealand First Leader, Winston Peters, today expressed bitter disappointment at the Prime Minister’s decision to refuse to have the Victoria Cross posthumously awarded to World War II hero, Sergeant Haane Manahi.

“Once again Mrs Shipley has failed to understand the significance of personal sacrifice on the part of a remarkable New Zealander. I have no doubt that had there been a pre-election photo opportunity, she may have felt differently about this issue,” he said.

“Sergeant Manahi displayed outstanding courage and determination with total disregard for personal safety. His actions resulted in a significant stand being made during the battle for control of Takrouna in April 1943.

“There can be no doubt the level of bravery shown by Sergeant Manahi is deserving of the Victoria Cross as every officer above him, in the field, and not Whitehall recommended it. That he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) under the circumstances, can be considered a travesty of military justice,” said Mr Peters.

“When in a position to do something more positive after the election to recognise Sergeant Manahi’s bravery, New Zealand First will not shrink from this responsibility,” he said.

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>