Call Grows for Haane Manahi Victoria Cross

More than 80 years after Sergeant Haane Manahi’s extraordinary bravery at Takrouna, the call to right a historic wrong is growing louder — with Te Pāti Māori demanding the Crown finally award him the Victoria Cross.

Co leader of Te Pāti Māori and MP for Waiariki Rawiri Waititi is calling on this government and all opposition parties to support the call for Sgt Haane Manahi to be awarded the Victoria Cross. We call on the New Zealand Defence Force to make a formal recommendation, supported by the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and cabinet to achieve this.

“Sergeant Haane Manahi displayed extraordinary courage and leadership in the taking of Takrouna, Tunisia, risking and ultimately giving everything in service of his people and his country. His actions meet the highest threshold of valour that the Victoria Cross represents, ” said Waititi

Manahi was recommended for a Victoria Cross shortly after the taking of Takrouna, however, was instead awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal “the whānau of Haane Manahi, have carried this injustice for generations and honouring such courage is the right thing to do. The right to acknowledge and award Sgt Manahi with the Victoria Cross is not about revisionism, it is about correcting history. ”

Sgt Haane Manahi scaled that cliff for the crown, it’s high time the crown climbs this cliff for him. Recognition delayed, is recognition denied.