Te Arawa Sword of Gallantry for Haane Manahi

The Te Arawa Sword of Gallantry for Haane Manahi is a symbol of the Office of the Chief of Defence Force. The sword is presented to the Chief of Defence Force by Te Arawa at the beginning of his tenure and returned to the iwi (tribe) when they complete their term in office. The sword represents the enduring ties between Te Arawa, the Crown and the New Zealand Defence Force. This video features footage of Lieutenant General Tim Keating, returning the sword in July 2019 and the pōwhiri for the presentation of the sword to Air Marshal Kevin Short in August 2019. It includes interviews with members of Haane Manahi’s family and the Manahi VC Committee. The sword, with an altar cloth and a letter from The Queen, recognises the outstanding bravery of Lance Sergeant Haane Manahi during the Second World War. The three gifts were presented to Te Arawa by His Royal Highness The Duke of York in 2007 at Ōhinemutu in Rotorua and the sword was immediately presented to the then Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Sir Jerry Mataparae. Learn more about Lance Sergeant Haane Manahi at NZHistory.net https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo... Still image credits National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa