A soldier from Kawakawa is among five New Zealand Defence Force personnel to be honoured by US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta for service in Afghanistan.
Lieutenant Colonel James Kaio was awarded the US Army Commendation Medal at a ceremony at the Auckland War Memorial Museum last month while Mr Panettawas visiting New Zealand.
The medal recognises his contribution to the Nato-led coalition in Afghanistan.
According to the citation, Lieutenant Colonel Kaio served as team liaison officer of the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamyan in 2007 and 2008, where he "showed personal courage and commitment to the accomplishment of the mission in a combat zone, under the most extreme circumstances".
Lieutenant Colonel Kaio grew up in Kawakawa, where his parents still live, while the rest of his whanau live in the Hokianga. He is based at the Linton Military Camp near Palmerston North.
Also honoured were Colonel Darryl Tracy (US Meritorious Service Medal) and Lieutenant Commander Karen Bleakley, Squadron Leader Michelle-Ann Thomson and Captain Jason Tinsley (US Army Commendation Medals).
Defence Force chief Lieutenant General Rhys Jones said he was proud of the contribution the five medal recipients had made towards New Zealand's mission in Afghanistan.
