Adam Puriri, one of the last two surviving Hawke's Bay members of the 28th Maori Battalion, at his 90th birthday celebration on Saturday. Photo / Paul Taylor
Adam Puriri, one of the last two surviving Hawke's Bay members of the 28th Maori Battalion, at his 90th birthday celebration on Saturday. Photo / Paul Taylor
One of only two surviving Hawke's Bay members of the second World War 28th Maori Battalion has celebrated his 90th birthday with family and friends.
The celebration in honour of Adam Puriri was held on Saturday at Te Aranga Marae, Flaxmere.
A Dux of Hastings High School as the 1939-1945war was beginning, Mr Puriri enlisted as soon as he was able and had completed training in Egypt and Italy when the cessation of hostilities was called.
He returned home and became the first Maori graduate in meat, agricultural and fisheries studies at Lincoln College in Canterbury, as well as taking over the vast shearing contracting run of father Hemi, before his qualifications took him into other roles in various parts of the country.
Retired and still living in his own home in Hastings, he had maintained his strong interest in learning, completing a computer qualification in the past five to six years, said Ash Puriri, of Hamilton, one of 11 children raised by Adam Puriri and his late wife Islet.
