Haane Manahi, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

Haane Manahi

Te Arawa and Ngati Raukawa; labourer, soldier, carpenter, vehicle surveyor

Date of Birth: 28-Sep-1913

Place of Birth: Ohinemutu, Bay of Plenty Region, New Zealand

Date of Death: 29-Mar-1986

Profession: military personnel

Nationality: New Zealand

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Haane Te Rauawa Manahi DCM (28 September 1913 – 29 March 1986) was a New Zealand soldier of Te Arawa and Ngati Raukawa descent who served in the Second World War as a member of the Maori Battalion. Born in Ohinemutu, New Zealand, in 1913, Manahi worked as a laborer before he volunteered for service in the newly raised Maori Battalion of the New Zealand Military Forces following the outbreak of the Second World War.
He participated in the Battle of Greece and fought in the Battle of Crete during which he was wounded.
After recovering from his wounds he returned to the Maori Battalion, and fought through the Western Desert and Tunisian Campaigns during which he was nominated for a Victoria Cross (VC) for his actions at Takrouna.
Despite the support of four generals, his VC nomination was downgraded to an award of a Distinguished Conduct Medal. In June 1943, he returned to New Zealand on a three-month furlough but when this was completed, was not required to return to active duty.
After his discharge from the New Zealand Military Forces, he was employed as a traffic inspector.
He was killed in a car crash in 1986.
After his death, representations by his Te Arawa iwi (tribe) were made to Buckingham Palace for a posthumous award of the VC.
These representations were ultimately unsuccessful due to the period of time that had elapsed since the war.
In 2007, he eventually received a special citation for bravery from the Queen.