Actor Alex Tarrant plays the 28th Māori Battalion soldier Haane Manahi in the film Sgt Haane, which will premiere in Rotorua on April 19. Photo / Supplied
The valour and service of Rotorua-born 28th Māori Battalion soldier Haane Manahi is coming to the big screen.
And his whānau hope the film, Sgt. Haane, could finally result in him being awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.
The world premiere of the feature-length documentary is in Rotorua on Sunday, marking 83 years since the soldier’s brave feats during the Battle of Takrouna in Tunisia.
Manahi, of Ngāti Whakaue – Te Arawa and Ngāti Raukawa, was enlisted with the 28th Māori Battalion at the outbreak of World War II, serving with B Company through Greece, Crete and the North African campaign.
On the night of April 19, 1943, at the Battle of Takrouna, Manahi led a small band of B Company soldiers up a 200m rocky outcrop under intense mortar and machine-gun fire, capturing an enemy stronghold held by more than 300 Italian and German troops.
For his bravery, Manahi was recommended for a Victoria Cross that year by four Allied generals.
The award was later mysteriously downgraded to a Distinguished Conduct Medal.
Manahi died in 1986 and was buried at Muruika cemetery in Ōhinemutu.
In 2006 it was decided that Manahi would not be awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously despite supporters lobbying the Government.
The request was turned down by the Queen, adhering to King George’s 1949 decision that no further awards from World War II should be considered.
Instead, in 2007, the then Duke of York, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (formerly Prince Andrew), presented Manahi’s sons with a special citation for bravery, an altar cloth, a letter from the Queen and a sword in recognition of his actions on Takrouna Ridge.
Manahi’s whānau hope the new film will result in him finally receiving the Victoria Cross, RNZ reported.
Niece Dr Donna Morrison told RNZ that during his lifetime Manahi did not want the VC reinstated as he “didn’t want to fuss and bother”.
“He thought everyone who went away deserved the VC. That was the man that he was.”
She hoped King Charles would consider restoring the VC to her uncle.
“Perhaps the film will help to speed that process up,” she told RNZ.
Sgt. Haane film director Tearepa Kahi and actor Alex Tarrant, who plays Manahi, spoke to the Rotorua Daily Post ahead of the premiere.
Kahi said he was approached by Morrison and her son Anaru Grant to do the film.
“The Māori Battalion story is the crown jewel of all Māori stories in recent memory. Because it’s a historic story, there’s a lot of weight attached to it. It’s not like anybody can help themselves to this story – you have to be invited into the house.”
Manahi’s descendants featured in the film.
Kahi said Manahi had become “synonymous” with the Victoria Cross recommendation.
“We wanted to go beyond the controversy and get to what it was he truly accomplished up there ... ”
The film’s “headquarters” revolved around two important sites on Ōhinemutu marae – inside the wharenui and Manahi’s resting place at Muruika cemetery.
Other Rotorua film locations included Pukeroa and the maunga of Ngongotahā – a “symbol” B Company soldiers carried with them, he said.
Kahi said the crew shot part of the film in Rotorua on Anzac Day last year.
“That’s the first time in the history of Māoridom that there were no members of the Māori Battalion left to join the ranks.”
Sir Robert (Bom) Gillies, who was the last surviving member of the 28th Māori Battalion, died in November 2024 aged 99.
Kahi said that in Tunisia, Manahi was fighting alongside his cousins.
“I also suspect, because he was so well-trained back in Rotorua by his elders ... that’s why he was able to make such a huge imprint in terms of his service during battle.
“His significance reigns supreme because he is the only figure in Māoridom that has a pou tokomanawa [centre ridge pole] inside the wharenui – that is a true depiction of his valour and his courage that’s been committed to a carving.”
Kahi said Manahi was considered a hero because he “gave his all and more and asked for nothing in return”.
“It’s our ongoing opportunity and commitment to remember their deeds and to continue to honour them.”
Tarrant said he felt “pure anticipation for a passion project to come to the light”.
On playing the film’s lead, Tarrant said it was a cliche to call it an honour, “but that is the truth”.
“I think there’s a lot of imposter syndrome that came with the acceptance of this role but as we started filming and progressing through the shooting schedule, it started to become more clear that everyone who was cast was exactly where they were meant to be.”
Tarrant said the shoot was “fast and furious”, which he enjoyed.
“The biggest highlight was getting to work with other like-minded, eager, passionate creatives both behind the camera and in front of the camera and I think that’s what made it really, really special.
“I look at the descendants of Haane and all of his cousins, and I can trust that when the film comes out, they will be extremely proud.”
The Sgt. Haane Rotorua premiere is invitation-only. The film will be released in cinemas nationwide on April 30, with commemorative screenings from April 20 in line with Anzac Day.
Megan Wilson is a health and general news reporter for the Bay of Plenty Times and the Rotorua Daily Post. She has been a journalist since 2021.