CEREMONY: Lieutenant General Richard Rhys Jones (left) hands the sword back to Haane Manahi's son Rauawa Manahi while Staff Sergeant Aaron Morrison looks on. PHOTO/BEN FRASER 240114BF1
CEREMONY: Lieutenant General Richard Rhys Jones (left) hands the sword back to Haane Manahi's son Rauawa Manahi while Staff Sergeant Aaron Morrison looks on. PHOTO/BEN FRASER 240114BF1
'I wore it with pride'
"There are hundreds of Victoria Crosses but there is only one king's sword."
Those were the words delivered by Lieutenant General Richard Rhys Jones inside Tamatekapua Marae in Ohinemutu yesterday as he handed back the Lance Sergeant Haane Manahi sword of valour to the people of Ngati Whakaue and Te Arawa.
The handing-over ceremony is part of a new tradition in Rotorua where the Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force is given the sword while in office.
A special contingent of Army, Navy and Air Force officers accompanied Lt Gen Rhys Jones as he handed back the sword at the end of his three-year term.
The sword was received with great pride by Manahi's son, Rauawa Manahi. "This was the sword of a king given to me and what I give back to you today," Lt Gen Rhys Jones said.
"In the three years as chief I wore this sword with pride.
"The great respect you show us in allowing us to hold his sword is greatly acknowledged.
"I thank you for the opportunity to live up to Haane's standard of behaviour."
The sword was one of three items given to the Manahi family in 2007 after requests for his Distinguished Conduct Medal to be upgraded to a Victoria Cross were denied by the Queen.
Lance Sergeant Manahi was originally recommended for the higher award after his bravery while fighting in North Africa for the Maori Battalion's B Company.
In a few weeks time the sword will again be passed back into the hands of the next Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force, Lieutenant General Tim Keating.
Te Arawa kaumatua Pihopa Kingi spoke at the start of the ceremony attended by ex-servicemen and women, the Manahi whanau, RSA representatives, Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick and deputy mayor Dave Donaldson.
"That he was not awarded the Victoria Cross left a sour taste in the hearts and minds of his people," Mr Kingi said.
