A sword recognising the bravery of Te Arawa soldier Haane Manahi will be temporarily returned to his people in a special ceremony at the war hero's resting place tomorrow.
The sword was presented to Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force Lieutenant General Richard Rhys Jones in February 2011 in what was hoped to become a long-standing tradition.
The sword once belonged to King George VI and in an agreement between the Defence Force and Lance Sergeant Manahi's whanau is to be carried by the Chief of the Defence Force while they hold the position.
Lieutenant General Rhys Jones was the first person to receive the honour.
His three-year term began on January 24, 2011 and the sword will be passed on to the next Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force later this year. In the meantime, it will be held in Rotorua for safe keeping.