Queen gifts unique tribute to Manahi

Te Arawa war hero Haane Manahi will be further recognised by the Queen for his bravery during War War II.
But while his posthumous award will be unique it will not be the Victoria Cross his supporters had sought.
His son Rauawa Manahi and about 200 of those who had called for Lance Sergeant Manahi of the 28th Maori Battalion to be recognised with the Victoria Cross for his extraordinary courage at Takrouna Ridge in North Africa in 1943, attended a hui at Te Papaiouru marae on Saturday where they heard the Queen would not go against a decision made by her father, King George VI, 63 years ago.
He denied Lance Sergeant Manahi the Victoria Cross, despite strong recommendations from three generals and other high ranking military personnel that it be awarded.
Instead, the lesser Distinguished Conduct Medal was awarded.
However, at the hui it was announced the Queen will now be acknowledging the late Mr Manahi in a way no other veteran has been recognised.
She is gifting an altar cloth to St Faith's Church, which faces the premier meeting house of Te Arawa, Tamatekapua at Ohinemutu.
Mr Manahi is buried in the Muruika military cemetery behind the church.
The Queen will also sign a personal letter acknowledging Mr Manahi's gallantry which will hang inside Tamatekapua meeting house alongside a recent photograph of her and one of Haane Manahi.
A sword from King George VI's personal collection is to be gifted to Te Arawa who, in turn, will present it to the Chief of Defence along with a wooden patu in memory of the iwi's war hero.
A ceremony will be held at Ohinemutu early next year where a member of the Royal family is expected to present the items to the people of Te Arawa and the Manahi Victoria Cross Committee.
There was an air of disappointment inside Tamatekapua when it was announced the VC would not be awarded but it soon turned to excitement as it was realised the war hero would be immortalised in history books.
Rauawa Manahi said he was delighted with the outcome as Te Arawa unanimously voted to accept Buckingham Palace's offer.
"It is disappointing the Queen has turned down the VC but this is good. He will be remembered forever.
"For generations to come the kids will be saying 'Koro, what is a VC?'. This way it involves everyone," he said.
His father would have been humbled had he still been alive, Mr Manahi said.
"He'd have just shrugged his shoulders because he was so humble."
Rotorua deputy mayor Trevor Maxwell said he was excited by the Queen's gesture and the manner in which the offer was received.
"I feel very proud. I think it is a tremendous gesture from the Queen and Buckingham Palace. She could not go against her father.
"You could feel the wairua [spirit] and the good will inside the meeting house today. Haane will live on forever in the people's hearts," he said.
Te Arawa lawyer Donna Hall said it had been a long road to reach a resolution. The offer was a fitting acknowledgement. "It is a wonderful resolution. This has never been done before. It recognises Te Arawa and the whole tribe.
"There will be an ongoing relationship in perpetuity between the tribe, the defence force and Buckingham Palace through this."
Manahi Victoria Cross Committee spokeswoman Donna Grant said it was not the award the family were expecting but an acceptable one.
"This is a magnanimous gesture. [Haane] will receive tribute for time immemorial," she said.
Rotorua RSA president Tony Horton said Haane Manahi's feats would be talked about for generations to come through the Royal acknowledgment.
Defence Minister Phil Goff said it was clear Mr Manahi should be recognised for his bravery in Tunisia.
The Queen's recognition had been inspired by the 28th Maori Battalion's marching song For God, For King, For Country.
The altar cloth would be presented to recognise God, the letter the King, and the sword the country.
"In responding to the submission, the palace reiterated Her Majesty's great admiration for the remarkable bravery of Lance Sergeant Manahi and noted that the reports of witnesses and commanders at the time are evidence that a recommendation for the award of the Victoria Cross was by no means unjustified," Mr Goff said.
It had been the third submission made on behalf of Mr Manahi for further recognition for his gallant actions.