Haane Manahi
Born 28 Sept 1913 - Died 29 Mar 1986
- Service number
- WWII 39099 AWMM
- Also known as
- —
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Last rank
- WW2 Sergeant AWMM 28 (Maori) Battalion, B Company AWMM
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
- NZ Victory Contingent 1946, not JayforcePublic - NZDF - Researcher - 21 May 2026 - Military Personnel File
About
- Title
- —
- Forenames
- Haane AWMM
- Surname
- Manahi AWMM
- Ingoa
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- Also known as
- —
- Service number
- WWII 39099 AWMM
- Gender
- Male AWMM
- Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
- Iwi Māori, Māori AWMM
- Ngāti Raukawa ki Te Tonga, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngā Iwi o Tainui, Tainui, Waka o Ngā Iwi, Ngā Iwi, Māori AWMM
- Te Arawa, Waka o Ngā Iwi, Ngā Iwi, Māori AWMM
- Te Arawa, Māori AWMM
- Ngāti Whakaue, Ngā Iwi o Te Arawa, Te Arawa, Waka o Ngā Iwi, Ngā Iwi, Māori AWMM
- Ngāti Huia, Ngāti Raukawa ki Te Tonga, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngā Iwi o Tainui, Tainui, Waka o Ngā Iwi, Ngā Iwi, Māori AWMM
- Religion
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Images
Documents
About birth
- Birth
- 28 Sept 1913 AWMM
- Date of birth
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- Place of birth
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- Birth notes
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- Address before enlistment
- WW2 Unknown AWMM Ohinemutu, Rotorua, New Zealand AWMM
- WW2 Unknown AWMM Ohinemutu, Rotorua, New Zealand AWMM
- Jayforce Mrs Rangi Awatea Manahi (wife), Ohinemutu, Rotorua Post Office, New Zealand AWMM
- Post war occupation
- —
- Next of kin
- Jayforce Mrs Rangi Awatea Manahi (wife), Ohinemutu, Rotorua, New Zealand AWMM
- Relationship status
- Pre 02 May 1940 AWMM Married/WWII AWMM
- 1940 Haane MANAHI married Rangiawatea TE KIRIPublic - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 9 June 2024 - NZ BDM Marriage Records
Wars and conflicts
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
- NZ Victory Contingent 1946, not JayforcePublic - NZDF - Researcher - 21 May 2026 - Military Personnel File
- Campaign
- North Africa AWMM
- 1941 AWMM Crete AWMM
- Greece AWMM
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Service number
- WWII 39099 AWMM
- Military service
- —
- Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers
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Military decorations
- Medals and Awards
- Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) AWMM
DCM. Citation:"On the night of 19-20 April 1943 during the attack upon the TAKROUNA feature, Tunisia, Lance Sergeant Manahi was in command of a section. The objective of his platoon was the pinnacle, a platform of rock right on top of the feature. By morning the platoon was reduced in strength to ten by heavy mortar and small-arms fire and were pinned to the ground a short way up the feature. The platoon continued towards their objective, Lance Sergeant Manahi leading a party of three up the western side. During this advance they encountered heavy machine-gun fire from posts on the slope and extensive sniping from the enemy actually on the pinnacle. In order to reach their objective, he and his party had to climb some 500 feet under heavy fire, the last 50 feet being almost sheer. He personally led the party after silencing several machine-gun posts and by climbing hand-over-fist they eventually reached the pinnacle. After a brief fight some sixty enemy, including an artillery observation officer, surrendered. They were then joined by the remainder of the platoon and the pinnacle was captured. The area was subjected to intense mortar fire from a considerable enemy force still holding Takrouna Village and the northern and western slopes of the feature and later to heavy and continuous shelling. The Platoon Sergeant was killed and other casualties reduced the party holding the pinnacle to Lance Sergeant Manahi and two Privates. An artillery observation officer who had arrived ordered him to withdraw but he and his men remained and held the feature. This action was confirmed by Brigade Headquarters as soon as communications were established. Late morning found the party short of ammunition, rations and water. Lance Sergeant Manahi himself returned to his Battalion at the foot of the feature and brought back supplies and reinforcements, the whole time being under fire. During the afternoon the enemy counter-attacked in force, some of them gaining a foothold. In the face of grenades and small-arms fire he personally led his men against the attackers. Fierce hand-to-hand fighting ensued but eventually the attackers were driven off. Shortly after this the party was relieved. The following morning urgent and immediate reinforcements were required as the enemy had once more gained a foothold and Lance Sergeant Manahi led one of two parties which attacked and drove back the enemy despite concentrated mortar and heavy machine-gun fire. All that day the feature was heavily shelled, mortared and subjected to continual machine-gun fire from in and about Takrouna. Late in the afternoon of 21 April Lance Sergeant Manahi on his own initiative took two men and moved round the north-western side of the feature. In that area were several enemy machine-gun and mortar posts and two 25-pounder guns operated by the enemy. With cool determination Lance Sergeant Manahi led his party against them, stalking one post after another always under shell and machine-gun fire. By his skill and daring he compelled the surrender of the enemy in that area. This courageous action undoubtedly led to the ultimate collapse of the enemy defence and the capture of the whole Takrouna feature with over 300 prisoners, two 25-pounder guns, several mortars and seventy-two machine guns. On the night of 21-22 April Lance Sergeant Manahi remained on the feature assisting in the evacuation of the dead and wounded and refused to return to his Battalion until this task was completed. During that time the area was being heavily and continually shelled. Throughout the action Lance Sergeant Manahi showed the highest qualities of an infantry soldier. He made a supreme contribution to the capture and holding of a feature vital to the success of the operation." AWMM - 1939-1945 Star AWMM
- Africa Star (8th Army clasp) AWMM
- Defence Medal AWMM
- War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
- New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM
- Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) AWMM
Training and Enlistment
- Military training
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- Branch Trade Proficiency
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- Enlistment
- WW2 25 Jan 1940 Nom Roll 2
Age 27 AWMM
Labourer/Civilian Nom Roll 2 - Age on enlistment
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- Occupation before enlistment
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Embarkations
- Embarkation details
- WW2 Vessel was Aquitania AWMM Private Nom Roll 2 28 (Maori) Battalion, Headquarters Nom Roll 2 Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Second Echelon AWMM
Prisoner of war
- Capture details
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- Days interned
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- Liberation date
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- POW liberation details
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- Liberation Repatriation
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- POW serial number
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Medical history
- Medical notes
- Hospital Diseases , Wounds, WWII AWMM
Wounded 23 May 1941 AWMM - Accidental Death, Cause of Death AWMM
Car crash AWMM
- Hospital Diseases , Wounds, WWII AWMM
Last known rank
- Last rank
- WW2 22 Aug 1946 AWMM Sergeant AWMM
28 (Maori) Battalion, B Company AWMM - Last rank
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Biographical information
- Private Manahi was amongst those who trained at Palmerston North and at noon on 1 May 1941 went by train to Wellington to board the Aquitania for Britain.
Many felt he should have been awarded the Victoria Cross
The circumstances surrounding the action for which Private Manahi was recommended for the Victoria Cross occurred at Takrouna, Tunisia (19-20 April 1943).
The New Zealand Division's intention was to attack and capture the Djebel el Froukr and Djebel el Ogla features and exploit to the north-west and north, they were to secure the end of a ridge and exploit into the hills. Fifth Brigade on the left of the New Zealand sector had for its first objective the capture of Djebel Cherachir which lay beyond Takrouna and Djebel Bir. The final objective, Djebel Froukr, lay a mile further north.
The Enfidaville-Zaghouan road ran between Cherachir and Takrouna and was the final objective for the first phase of the attack - the responsibility of 28 Battalion, on the right and 21 Battalion on the left. The 21 Battalion was to reach the road by moving around the left or western side of Takrouna. Takrouna hill itself and Djebel Bir were to be taken by the 28 Battalion. The citation above gives the details of Haane Manahi's actions. For a detailed account of the whole event refer to 28 (Maori) Battalion by J.F. Cody Chapter II.
In July 1943, Sergeant Manahi stated simply that “the job had to be done,” and recalling how his party climbed under fire, fought at close quarters, and held their position for much of the day despite heavy casualties (Rotorua Morning Post, 13 July 1943).
Sergeant Manahi is regarded as one of New Zealand's most distinguished soldiers and controversy has surrounded him because he was not awarded the Victoria Cross. Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Charles Bennett, former commanding officer of the 28 Battalion supported moves to redress this decision. Sir Charles is quoted as saying that "... a grave injustice has been done to a great soldier, and indeed to the Maori people as a whole - as grave in my view as the confiscation of Maori lands in the last century." (NZ Herald 21 January 1997)
Manahi attended the Victory Parade in London on 8 June 1946, which was mistakenly recorded on the J-Force Nominal Roll.
Approaches were made to the Prime Minister in 1993, Mr Bolger, and again in 1997 to Mrs Shipley, for the award of a posthumous Victoria Cross. New Zealand First Member of Parliament John Delamere also pressed the Government to recognise the claim that the DCM be replaced by a VC. It appears that Major Denis Blundell (later Governor-General of New Zealand) recommended Lance- Sergeant Manahi for the VC and was supported by Lieutenant-General Sir Bernard Freyberg, General Sir Brian Horrocks and Field Marshal Bernard Montogomery. In spite of these high commendations it is believed that officials in London decided against the award on the grounds that a second Maori could not get a VC. The first was awarded to Te Moananui-A-Kiwa Ngarimu who died on the Tunisian battlefield in March 1943. (NZ Herald 20 January 1997, 21 March 1997)
In May 1998 Mr Delamere suggested Manahi and Colonel William Malone could be amongst the first to receive the new New Zealand-based royal awards.
The Waitangi Tribunal examined the case in 2005 (Wai 893) and confirmed the strength of the original Victoria Cross recommendation, noting that the reasons for its downgrading remain unknown. The Tribunal found no clear evidence of discrimination at the time but recognised the ongoing significance of the issue for Te Arawa and their relationship with the Crown.
In 2006 Manahi’s gallantry was finally acknowledged in 2007 with the presentation, on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II, of an altar cloth for St Faith’s Church Ohinemutu, a letter to the family and a ceremonial sword for Te Arawa, later presented to the Chief of Defence, together symbolising the tangible link between God, Queen and Country.
He died in a car accident near Te Puke in 1986
The story of Haane Manahi continues to be shared with new audiences through the feature film Sgt. Haane, directed by Tearepa Kahi. Released in 2026, the film draws on both historical accounts and the voices of descendants to present Manahi’s actions at Takrouna and their enduring significance. AWMM
About death
- Death
- 29 Mar 1986 AWMM
Age 72 AWMM - Date of death
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- Age at death
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- Place of death
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- Cause of death
- Accidental Death AWMM
- Death notes
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- Cemetery
- Muruika Cemetery, Ohinemutu, Rotorua, New Zealand AWMM
- Cemetery name
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- Grave reference
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- Obituary
- Obituary: Mr Haane Manahi
PA Tauranga — Mr Haane Manahi, who died in a road accident at Te Puke at the weekend, was one of the Māori Battalion heroes of the Battle of Takrouna in World War II.
Mr Manahi, who was 72, died after the car he was driving was in a collision with another car about 8 km on the Rotorua side of Maungarangi Road on State Highway 33.
On Tuesday, a former commander of the Māori Battalion, Sir Charles Bennett, described Mr Manahi, of Maketū, as one of the outstanding members of his battalion.
“Sergeant Manahi was awarded an immediate D.C.M. for his part in the battle against the Germans and Italians at Takrouna in Tunisia,” said Sir Charles. “He was nominated for a V.C. but because of the immediate award of the D.C.M. this nomination lapsed.”
Sir Charles said Sergeant Manahi had led a detachment up rope ladders to capture a high rocky feature known as Takrouna.
“It was held by German and Italian troops,” said Sir Charles. “But our boys were driven off and then Sergeant Manahi rallied his troops and recaptured the peak.
“Sergeant Manahi was one of the most outstanding men under my command.”
Obituary Mr Haane Manahi, Press, 8 April 1986, Page 14 AWMM - Memorial name
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- Memorial reference
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Memorial
- Memorial name
- Whakarewarewa, Te Hokowhitu-a-tu Memorial Gateway, Rotorua AWMM
Sources
- External links
- Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. Wellington: Dept. of Internal Affairs, War History Branch. Digital copy.
https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/webarchive/20210104000423/http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Maor.html
Sources Used - 28th Maori Battalion Website 1941-1945
http://www.28maoribattalion.org.nz/
Sources Used - Te Reo Irirangi o Te Upoko o Te Ika. (1993, December 8). Maori Development Programme: Sir Charles Bennett interview with Hone Kaa – Lance Sergeant Haane Manahi V.C., tape one [Open reel audiotape]. National Library of New Zealand, Wellington. Reference OHT7-2112.
https://natlib.govt.nz/records/35857497
Further Reference - Norman Bennett. 'Manahi, Haane Te Rauawa', Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, first published in 2000. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand
https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/5m30/manahi-haane-te-rauawa
Further Reference - Te Ara, the encyclopedia of New Zealand. Te Hokowhitu-a-tu: Whakarewarewa memorial gateway
https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/15029/memorial-gateway-whakarewarewa
Further Reference - Waitangi Tribunal. (2005). The preliminary report on the Haane Manahi Victoria Cross claim (Wai 893). Legislation Direct.
https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/WT/wt_DOC_68183171/Haane%20Manahi%20(website).pdf
Further Reference - Goff, P. (2006, October 9). Recognition of gallantry of Haane Mahani. New Zealand Government.
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/recognition-gallantry-haane-mahani
Further Reference - Wikidata Entity
http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q5636523
Further Reference - Wikipedia contributors. (2026, April 2). Haane Manahi.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haane_Manahi
Further Reference - J Force Wikipedia Page
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J_Force
Further Reference - Romano, G. (2021, March 4). Jayforce: 75 years on. Auckland War Memorial Museum – Tāmaki Paenga Hira.
https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/features/jayforce
Further Reference - Wilson, M. (16 April 2026), Rotorua premiere: Sgt. Haane film tells story of 28th Māori Battalion soldier Haane Manahi. Rotorua Daily Post.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/rotorua-sgt-haane-film-tells-story-of-28th-maori-battalion-soldier-haane-manahi/AO45ZDFSRZGEJISUHOJOB4NT3I/
Further Reference - New Zealand Film Commission. (2026). Sgt. Haane.
https://www.nzfilm.co.nz/films/sgt-haane
Further Reference - The Hui. (2026, April 21). The untold ANZAC story: Sgt Haane Manahi & the truth we never heard | Tearepa Kahi on Let’s Hui [Video].
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32e9QpboNgQ
Further Reference - Obituary Mr Haane Manahi, Press, 8 April 1986, Page 14
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19860408.2.77.8
Further Reference - Refusal of VC for heroic father disappoints son, Press, 20 August 1994, Page 10
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19940820.2.25.2
Further Reference - "The Job Had To Be Done," Says Sgt. H. Manahi, D.C.M. Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 4236, 13 July 1943, Page 3
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/RMPOST19430713.2.22.6
Further Reference - 'Victory Parade Contingent: Three services sailing April 20' in the Gisborne Herald, 13 April, 1946.
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HAWST19460413.2.103
Further Reference - 'Parading for Victory: Air Force Contingent' at the website of the Air Force Museum of New Zealand.
https://airforcemuseum.co.nz/blog/parading-for-victory-air-force-contingent/
Further Reference
- Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. Wellington: Dept. of Internal Affairs, War History Branch. Digital copy.
- References
- Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1941). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 2 (Embarkations to 30th June, 1940). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
p.124 - Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1950). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 16 (Embarkations from 1st January, 1946 to 30th June, 1948). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
p.86 - Ross, A. (1959). 23 Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
Official History of 23 Battalion, p.268 - Te waka o-Tu (the war craft): on board H.M.T. Aquitania
- Dominion Post
Article. (2006, October 10). Dominion Post, p. A4 - Sunday Star Times
Sunday Star Times, 8 October 2006, Korero - Rotorua Review
Rotorua Review, 11 October 2006 - Press Release: New Zealand Goverment
Recognition from Queen for Manahi. Press Release: New Zealand Government. Monday, 9 October 2006. - Weekend Herald
Tahana, Y. (2010, 18 September). War hero 'victim of VC quota system'. Weekend herald, A13. - The Listener
Lomas, D. (2010, November 13). Fighting for Haane. Listener, p. 30 - 33. - Harper, G., & Richardson, C. (2006). In the face of the enemy: The complete history of the Victoria Cross and New Zealand. Auckland, N.Z.: HarperCollins NZ.
Harper, G. & Richardson, C. (2006). p.129-130 - Gardiner, W. (2019). Ake ake kia kaha e! : Forever brave! : B Company 28 (Maori) Battalion, 1939-1945. Auckland : Bateman Books.
- Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
- Brocklebank, L.W. (1997). Jayforce : New Zealand and the military occupation of Japan, 1945-48. Auckland, N.Z.: Oxford University Press.
- Iwi, Hapū, Rohe and additional whakapapa information kindly provided from “Ngāti Raukawa and 20th century wars. Ngā Pakanga o Te Ao. Participation, Price, and Post-War Experience.” Research conducted by Te Kenehi Teira and Heeni Collins (2022). Report commissioned by Crown Forestry Rental Trust, Wellington (Wai 2200 Porirua ki Manawatu Inquiry).
- Ngāti Raukawa in World War 2 - 1939-1945 & further (credit to Reuben Waaka, Diane Taylor, Te Kenehi Teira). Part of “Ngāti Raukawa and 20th century wars. Ngā Pakanga o Te Ao. Participation, Price, and Post-War Experience.” Research conducted by Te Kenehi Teira and Heeni Collins (2022). Report commissioned by Crown Forestry Rental Trust, Wellington (Wai 2200 Porirua ki Manawatu Inquiry).
- Parr, A. (2012). The occupiers : New Zealand veterans remember post-war Japan. Auckland, N.Z. : Penguin.
- Davin, D. (1953). Crete. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
- Kahi, T. (Director). (2026). Sgt. Haane [Film]. Inbound Productions.
- Moon, P. (2010). Victoria Cross at Takrouna : the Haane Manahi story. (Wellington, N.Z. : Huia)
- Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1950). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 16 (Embarkations from 1st January, 1946 to 30th June, 1948). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
- 'Victory Parade Contingent.' Gisborne Herald, vol. 73, no. 21996, 13 April 1946, p.4. Identified with assistance from the Kippenberger Research Centre, National Army Museum Te Mata Toa (2026).
- Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1941). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 2 (Embarkations to 30th June, 1940). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
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