He Hoiā, he Toa

Stories of the lives of Māori servicemen in twentieth century and twenty-first century conflicts.

Updated June 16, 2024
W
Wellington City Libraries Kaimahi, Ratonga Māori
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Victoria Cross at Takrouna : the Haane Manahi story
Moon, Paul.
Paper Book
This biography tells the story of a Maori soldier, Haane Manahi, who showed outstanding bravery under fire at Takrouna, Tunisia, leading his men to capture a vital enemy stronghold held by more then 300 Italian and German troops. Manahi was recommended for a Victoria Cross but was never awarded one.
Nga?rimu : te Tohu Toa
Burdan, Andrew.
Paper Book
It recounts the battle for Point 209 in Tunisia and the hard-won fight the soldiers had to capture it.

I te reo Māori Tells the story of Moananui-a-Kiwa Ngārimu, the first Māori soldier to be awarded the Victoria Cross, describing the battle on the 26 & 27th of March 1943 in which he fought heroically, but was killed. Suggested level: secondary.

Frontiers : a colonial dynasty
Best, Simon
Paper Book
Two airmen of Maori descent lie buried together on a hilltop in Dorset, England. They are the grandson and great-grandson of a whaling captain who entered New Zealand waters in 1835, and who became one of the leading pioneers of European settlement in Wellington. The story's main thread covers the...

From NZHistory.net: "William Rhodes-Moorhouse, the first airman to receive the Victoria Cross, served as a mechanic and pilot in the early months of the First World War. Although born and educated in England, he was of Māori descent, his grandmother being Otahui of Ngāti Ruanui."

Victory at Point 209
Burdan, Andrew.
Paper Book
This graphic novel is the story of how Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu of 28 Maori Battalion won the VC during World War Two. It recounts the battle for Point 209 in Tunisia and the hard-won fight the soldiers had to capture it.

This is the English version of the same book.

Born to fly
Arahanga, Julian.
Paper Book
Shot down off the coast of Germany, Pohe was held prisoner at Stalag Luft III, near Sagan in present-day Poland. Digging a tunnel under the camp, Pohe was one of the prisoners who escaped in a mass breakout which was immortalised in the film The Great Escape.
Awatere : a soldier's story
Awatere, Arapeta
Paper Book
Arapeta Awatere was a humble man born in 1910 at Tuparoa on New Zealand's East Coast; in World War II he served his country with distinction in fierce fighting, rose to the rank of colonel and led the 28 (Maori) Battalion. Post-war he became a distinguished community leader, an Auckland city...
Born to lead : portraits of New Zealand commanders
Harper, Glyn
Paper Book
Is there a distinctive style of New Zealand command? An examination of New Zealand military commanders and the style of New Zealand command is long overdue, and this superb new book now fills the gap. Glyn Harper, Joel Hayward and a team of top military historians profile the most important...
Ned & Katina : a true love story
Grace, Patricia
Paper Book
A TRUE STORY OF LOVE IN WARTIME AND IN PEACE. In Crete during the Second World War a wounded Maori Battalion soldier and a young Cretan woman fall in love when the young infantryman is sheltered by her family. After marrying in Crete, Ned and Katina come back to live in New Zealand,...
Willie Apiata VC : the reluctant hero
Little, Paul
Paper Book
Corporal Willie Apiata became the first New Zealander since the Second World War to be awarded the Commonwealth's highest military award for his actions with the NZ SAS in Afghanistan. From his early life in small town East Coast New Zealand to his actions in the deserts of Afghanistan, this is his...

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