New Zealand Defence Force
Te Ope Kaatua O Aotearoa

Media Release

15 March 2007

War Hero Recognised at Last

A significant ceremony to honour the bravery of the late Lance Sergeant Haane Manahi will be held in Rotorua on Saturday 17 March.

His Royal Highness The Duke of York, representing the Queen, will present an award to representatives of Te Arawa and the Manahi family at Te Papiouru Marae, Ohinemutu.

Four generals recommended LSGT Manahi for a Victoria Cross for his actions during a battle in North Africa in 1943, but he was awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Manahi’s family and iwi have campaigned since 2000 for him to get the recognition he deserves.

In 2006 a bid to have the Victoria Cross awarded posthumously was taken to Buckingham Palace by Defence Minister Phil Goff. After careful consideration the request was turned down by The Queen, who followed King George’s 1949 decision that no further awards from World War II should be considered.

However, the palace agreed to compensate LSGT Manahi and after consultation with the Manahi VC Committee and Te Arawa decided on an award inspired by the famous line, “for God! For King! and for Country!” from the marching song of the 28th (Maori) Battalion.

‘For God’ will be marked by the presentation of an altar cloth, which will go to Saint Faith’s Church, near his burial place; a letter from The Queen, acknowledging his bravery, representing “For King’ and ‘For Country’ will be represented by a sword to be gifted to Te Arawa by The Queen.

Te Arawa will then present the sword to the Chief of Defence Force (CDF) Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae along with a patu in memory of LSGT Haane Manahi.

The sword will be displayed in the office of the CDF. The patu will be worn, on appropriate occasions, as part of the dress of the CDF. These gifts will be a tangible link between Haane Manahi, The Queen, Te Arawa and all serving members of the Defence Force.

ENDS

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