MP for Ikaroa-Rāwhiti

MEDIA STATEMENT

15 April 2016

Labour mourns loss of Hingangaroa Smith

I mōtī a rātou tinana ki te whenua he pūmahara ka kore e mate. Ehara ko te rua kōiwi te hōnore nui engari ka whakakaingahia i te pae o mahara, ko reira ka korikori tonu. Kia mau! Kia mau ki te kawau mārō mo te atākura o Tūmatauenga!

New Zealand has lost a legendary war hero with the death of much loved 28th Maori Battalion veteran Private Hingangaroa Smith, says Labour’s Ikaroa Rawhiti MP Meka Whaitiri.

“It’s heart breaking news for the nation and the whānau.

“Hingangaroa Smith was a true hero and son of Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti, Ngati Porou and Ngai Tahu.

“He was famous for fighting in the Maori Battalion’s C-Company where bravery and self- sacrifice helped pave the way for Māori to become citizens of New Zealand.

“He was raised in Tolaga Bay under the name Major Jackson and discovered he was a whāngai originally called Hingangaroa Smith.

“When he was only 14 years old he joined the Maori Battalion and enlisted with the D Company but soon found his brothers and was repatriated to the C Company to be with those he considered whanau.

“As Anzac Day approaches we acknowledge his bravery and contribution to our nation and all those heroes we’ve already lost.

“Labour’s Māori caucus and the wider party send our sincere condolences to his whanau, his five children and many mokopuna,” says Meka Whaitiri.

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