Stone-Throwing Māori Hero

When a New Zealand officer took part in the 1943 assault of Tebaga Gap, he became the first Māori soldier to earn a Victoria Cross.

Moananui-a-Kiwa Ng ā rimu, a M ā ori, was born on 7 April 1919, and was peacefully sheep farming when the Second World War began. Soon after the outbreak of war, Māori MPs requested that the NewāZealand government should allow M ori to volunteer for military service overseas. On 4 October, the government confirmed the establishment of the 28th New Zealand (M ori) Battalion, with Ngārimu signingāup

at Ruatōria on 11 February 1940.

In May 1940, the M ā ori Battalion boarded the Aquitania, sailing for England. Here, Ngārimu was chosen for intelligence duties and later became a second lieutenant and platoon leader in the battalion’s C Company.

The men of the Māori Battalion, shortly after the Battle of El Alamain, were involved in action at Tebaga Gap, Tunisia - its objective being a hill known as Point 209.

Heavy fire held down the battalion, and C Company, under Colonel Peta Awatere, was sent to attack the high ground.

The soldiers called it Hikurangi (after their mountain at home) and Ngārimu was one of the platoon leaders tasked with attacking. Lieutenant Colonel Charles Bennett, commander of the battalion, later wrote of Ngārimu:

‘Displaying courage and leadership of the highest order, he was himself first on the hill crest, personally annihilating at least two enemy machine gun posts.’

Two other witnesses attested his bravery. Although wounded, he insisted on staying with his men. Hikurangi was attacked many times during the night, but Ngārimu drove the attackers back by machine gun fire and throwing stones when ammunition and grenades ran out.

On 27 March, the enemy again attacked and Moana Ngārimu was killed, although Point 209 was surrendered later that day.

A few weeks before he was killed, he wrote saying he had dreamed of his great grandmother, Hana Maraea. She was beckoning to him in the dream.

Ngārimu was awarded the VC for bravery, determination, and outstanding leadership. It was presented to his parents by Sir Cyril Newall, at Ruat ō ria on 6 October 1943, an event attended by

Ngārimuālies government leaders and 7,000 M ori.

Te Moananui-a-Kiwa buried in the Sfax War Cemetery, Tunisia.

■ 2nd Lieutenant Moananui-a-Kiwa Ngārimu.

■ Soldiers of Moananui-a-Kiwa Ngārimu’s 28th New Zealaand (Māori) Battalion earned a fearsome fighting reputation. Here, men of the unit perform the traditional haka in North Africa.