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 Maori Battalion Returns (Weekly Review 232)
 Maori Battalion - March to Victory
 Pounamu - Apirana Turupa Ngata
 Ngati Porou East Coast 2001 - True Colours
 Tama Tū
 Reluctant Hero

Synopsis

This documentary tells the story of Moana Ngārimu the sole recipient from the Māori Battalion to be awarded (posthumously) the Victoria Cross during WWII. On 26th March 1943, at Tebaga Gap in Tunisia, the Second Lieutenant took a key position and defended it (as well as injured men) overnight, before being killed in a counter-attack. He was 24. The doco was made for TVNZ for the 50th anniversary of his death. It looks at his life and features moving archive and interviews with Ngārimu's friends and family in Ruatoria, and battalion comrades. Presented by Wira Gardiner.

Credits (6)

 Pere Maitai

Pere Maitai
Producer, Director

 Bernie Wright

Bernie Wright
Sound

 Michael Willetts

Michael Willetts
Editor

See all credits ›

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Produced by

 TVNZ

TVNZ

Source

 TVNZ Archives

TVNZ Archives

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Related Titles (6)

 Maori Battalion Returns (Weekly Review 232)

Maori Battalion Returns (Weekly Review 232)

Short Film, 1946 (Full Length)

A newsreel on the Battalion

 Maori Battalion - March to Victory

Maori Battalion - March to Victory

Television, 1990 (Full Length)

A documentary on the Battalion

 Reluctant Hero

Reluctant Hero

Television, 2008 (Full Length)

Another story of a Māori Victoria Cross winner

 Tama Tū

Tama Tū

Short Film, 2004 (Full Length)

Award-winning short featuring Māori Battalion soldiers

 Ngati Porou East Coast 2001 - True Colours

Ngati Porou East Coast 2001 - True Colours

Television, 2002 (Full Length)

Ngārimu played rugby on the East Coast

 Pounamu - Apirana Turupa Ngata

Pounamu - Apirana Turupa Ngata

Television, 1990 (Full Length Episode)

Profile of a great Māori social leader

Collections.   See all collections ›  

Included in:

 The Matariki Collection

The Matariki Collection

Curated by Whai Ngata
Added 08 June 2010

 Anzac Day Collection

Anzac Day Collection

Curated by NZ On Screen Team
Added 21 April 2010

Quotes

As I looked at them you know I knew what Mum and Dad and Aunty Mataroa would have thought: that the Victoria Cross was alright, you know for valour, and they accepted that, but I think deep down in their hearts they were really sorry that our brother didn’t come back in person. 

– Ripeka Heeney, Ngārimu's sister, watching her father Hamuera Ngārimu receving the Cross on Ngārimu's behalf

Mrs Ngārimu and I wish that Moana could be here to receive the tribute paid to us and to all the Māori people, because of what he did to win the Victoria Cross. He loved this country so well that he was proud to fight for it. 

– Hamuera Ngārimu, Ngārimu's father, on recieving the Cross on his behalf

For me the Victoria Cross is a symbol of sacrifice, by all who give their lives for their country. It’s not a symbol of individual bravery. 

– Keita Walker, Ngārimu's sister