Te Kaha, East Coast

[Dave Homewood]

The village of Te Kaha on the East Coast of the North Island has a population of, according to Wikipedia, just 375 people.

Apparently Te Kaha translates to ''fighting prowess' or 'strength' according to the RNZN's site explaining the meaning of its frigate's name.

This seems incredibly appropriate as Te Kaha was the home of two men who were awarded the Victoria Cross, 2nd Lieutenant Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu VC who was awarded the medal posthumously in 1943, and Corporal Willie Apiata who was awarded it in 2007. For a tiny village that is amazing.

When Apiata was awarded the Victoria Cross I recall seeing a news report that stated that as well as the two VC's, the village also had other highly rated medals awarded to others of Te Kaha. I think they mentioend three or four Military medals or Military Crosses or something of that nature.

Does anyone know the details of those other people and the medals they were awarded?

[guest]

Oct 2, 2011 15:30:28 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

The village of Te Kaha on the East Coast of the North Island has a population of, according to Wikipedia, just 375 people.

Apparently Te Kaha translates to ''fighting prowess' or 'strength' according to the RNZN's site explaining the meaning of its frigate's name.

This seems incredibly appropriate as Te Kaha was the home of two men who were awarded the Victoria Cross, 2nd Lieutenant Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu VC who was awarded the medal posthumously in 1943, and Corporal Willia Apiata who was awarded it in 2007. For a tiny village that is amazing.

When Apiata was awarded the Victoria Cross I recall seeing a news report that stated that as well as the two VC's, the village also had other highly rated medals awarded to others of Te Kaha. I think they mentioend three or four Military medals or Military Crosses or something of that nature.

Does anyone know the details of those other people and the medals they were awarded?

A couple of clues here, Dave:

www.nzdf.mil.nz/news/publications/army-news/archive/379/tkbatssrh.htm

[phil]

We went on adventure training there last year. Nice little place.

We did the obligatory community project, sorting out a playground at the school.

Young boy comes up to us and starts chatting (we were in DPMs), can't recall quite how the conversation was progressing, but the lad comes out with the fact Willy Apiata is is Dad.

Normally you'd dismiss that with a Yeah Right, but since it was Te Kaha it's quite possible he actually was.

The Kiwi Experience bus that turned up with the British backpacking chicks was popular too.

Especially when they decided we were far more fun that the bus and hung around for the rest of the week and came back to Bulls with us to catch their bus on to Welly from there.

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks guest. There are a few medals among those local veterans in that photo.

Great story Phil. I wonder if that boy really was Willie's son or if he just tells out-of-towner that. ;D