Toi Karini
Born 1894 - Died 10 Dec 1974
- Service number
- WWI 20680 AWMM
- Also known as
- —
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- NZ Maori Pioneer BattalionPublic - Lorraine M - Researcher - 27 February 2016 - Military Record
- Last rank
- —
- War
- World War I, 1914-1918 AWMM
About
- Title
- PrivatePublic - Lorraine M - Researcher - 27 February 2016 - Military Record
- Forenames
- Toi AWMM
- Surname
- Karini AWMM
- Ingoa
- —
- Also known as
- —
- Service number
- WWI 20680 AWMM
- Gender
- Male AWMM
- Religion
- Church of EnglandPublic - Lorraine M - Researcher - 27 February 2016 - Military Record
Images
Documents
About birth
- Birth
- 1894 Public Source
- Date of birth
- 1894Public - Lorraine M - Researcher - 27 February 2016 - Military Record
- Place of birth
- Tolaga Bay, East CoastPublic - Lorraine M - Researcher - 27 February 2016 - Military Record
- Birth notes
- Son of Te Haua Karini and Paku TuangiPublic - Lorraine M - Researcher - 27 February 2016 - Military Record
- Address before enlistment
- Tolaga BayPublic - Lorraine M - Researcher - 27 February 2016 - Military Record
- Post war occupation
- —
- Next of kin
- WW1 Hana Karini (father), Mangatuna, Tolaga Bay, New Zealand AWMM
- Relationship status
- single
Husband of Ani Piki TaituaPublic - Lorraine M - Researcher - 27 February 2016 - Military Record
Wars and conflicts
- War
- World War I, 1914-1918 AWMM
- Campaign
- Western EuropeanPublic - Lorraine M - Researcher - 27 February 2016 - Military Record
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- NZ Maori Pioneer BattalionPublic - Lorraine M - Researcher - 27 February 2016 - Military Record
- Service number
- WWI 20680 AWMM
- Military service
- New Zealand Engineers, Tunnelling Company AWMM
- 1916-1918Public - Lorraine M - Researcher - 27 February 2016 - Military Record
- Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers
- —
Military decorations
- Medals and Awards
- Croix de Guerre 1914-1918 (Belgian) AWMM
London Gazette 17 December 1917, p13206 "For distinguished services rendered during the course of the campaign" AWMM - Victory Medal AWMM
- British War Medal (1914-1920) AWMM
- One of the Pioneers who served with the Tunnellers was Toi Karini. Karini subsequently received the French honour, the Croix de Guerre. Karini was severely wounded in Flanders when the NZ Pioneer Battalion and the NZ Rifle Brigade were temporarily attached to the French 1st Army. He was awarded the French Croix de Guerre for meritorious service. The award was made by the General Officer Commanding the French 1st Army and was reported as being presented for an act of gallantry at YpresPublic - Lorraine M - Researcher - 13 March 2016 - https://www.facebook.com/NZTunnellingCompany/photos/a.289846287805029.67066.288844841238507/605893726200282/?type=1&theater
- British War Medal
Victory Medal
Croix de Guerre (French - 3 July 1917)Public - Lorraine M - Researcher - 27 February 2016 - Military record
- Croix de Guerre 1914-1918 (Belgian) AWMM
Training and Enlistment
- Military training
- —
- Branch Trade Proficiency
- —
- Enlistment
- WW1 Unknown AWMM Labourer/Civilian AWMM
- 30 May 1916 at Narrow NeckPublic - Lorraine M - Researcher - 27 February 2016 - Military record
- Age on enlistment
- 22yrsPublic - Lorraine M - Researcher - 27 February 2016 - Military record
- Occupation before enlistment
- —
Embarkations
- Embarkation details
- WW1 19 Aug 1916-24 Oct 1916 AWMM
HMNZT 61 AWMM Vessel was Aparima AWMM Private AWMM 7th Reinforcements AWMM Maori Contingent AWMM
Prisoner of war
- Capture details
- —
- Days interned
- —
- Liberation date
- —
- POW liberation details
- —
- Liberation Repatriation
- —
- POW serial number
- —
Medical history
- Medical notes
- Toi Karini was wounded in battle at Cambrai, France, as a member of the 22nd Reinforcements, in 1917Public - Lorraine M - Researcher - 27 February 2016 - Military record
Last known rank
- Last rank
- —
- Last rank
- —
Biographical information
- Member of the Maori Pioneer Battalion attached to the New Zealand Tunnelling Company.
43 members of the NZ (Maori) Pioneers served with the New Zealand Tunnelling Company and assisted in the late 1916 early 1917 preparations of the Arras caverns for the Battle of Arras. AWMM - Kia ora. You can view his name on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZfWQWa7mD8&pp=ygUFYXJyYXM%3DPublic - Shane Kawenata - Other relative - 20 October 2024 - Youtube: Into the Dark Tunnels of Arras with the New Zealand Tunnelers | History Traveler Episode 385
- Whānau receive replacement citation for Māori war hero Toi Karani
It's taken more than 50 years, but today the family of Māori war hero Toi Karini from Tolaga Bay has finally received a replacement citation to accompany his Croix de Guerre (Cross of War) medal for gallantry during WWI after it got washed away in the Gisborne floods in 1963.
It was an emotional moment for the Karini whānau who were finally able to fulfil their pāpā's wishes.
Angela Karini says, “It's so amazing for us, the family Karini, to come here and see how much love the tribe and everyone has for him.”
Private Toi Karini had tried desperately to get a replacement citation after it was washed away in the floods, but wasn't able to fulfil his desire before his passing in 1974.
Angela Karini says, “When he originally received his medal he was part of the ally's for England during that time.”
The family of Robert Walker also received a certificate of thanks for his contributions made to the safety of the French during World War I.
Eru Kaiwai says, “It is a great honour for the family but it's unfortunate for those who served alongside him that didn't receive a certificate like this too.”
Their young descendants came out in force to not only to honour these two men, but all their ancestors before them who served.Public - Lorraine M - Researcher - 27 February 2016 - http://www.maoritelevision.com/news/regional/whanau-receive-replacement-citation-maori-war-hero-toi-karani - Private Toi Karini, of Tolaga Bay who arrived at Auckland last week, has been decorated with the Croix de Guerre. He went to France with the 22nd Reinforcements, and was wounded at Cambrai. His next of kin is given as Hana Karini, Tolaga. Bay. He left Auckland by the Arahura on Saturday and is understood to have landed at Tokomaru Bay yesterdayPublic - Lorraine M - Researcher - 27 February 2016 - RETURNING HOME. - Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 14496, 7 January 1918, Page 3
- Member of the Maori Pioneer Battalion attached to the New Zealand Tunnelling Company.
About death
- Death
- 10 Dec 1974 Public Source
- Date of death
- 10 Dec 1974Public - Lorraine M - Researcher - 27 February 2016 - Gisborne's Cemetery Records
- Age at death
- 78yrsPublic - Lorraine M - Researcher - 27 February 2016 - Gisborne's Cemetery Records
- Place of death
- Gisborne, NZPublic - Lorraine M - Researcher - 27 February 2016 - Gisborne's Cemetery Records
- Cause of death
- —
- Death notes
- 1st NZEF, 20680 Pte T H KARINI, Croix de Guerre, Maori Pioneer Btn, died 10 December 1974 aged 78 years.Public - Lorraine M - Researcher - 27 February 2016 - Gisborne's Cemetery Records
- Cemetery
- —
- Cemetery name
- Taruheru Cemetery, GisbornePublic - Lorraine M - Researcher - 27 February 2016 - Gisborne's Cemetery Records
- Grave reference
- Block RSA; Plot 721; Warrant # 13941Public - Lorraine M - Researcher - 27 February 2016 - Gisborne's Cemetery Records
- Obituary
- —
- Memorial name
- —
- Memorial reference
- —
Memorial
- Memorial name
- —
Sources
- External links
- Military personnel file
https://collections.archives.govt.nz/web/arena/search/#/entity/aims-archive/R18055337
Further Reference - New Zealand Electronic Text Collection topic page
http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/name-130972.html
Further Reference - Cowan, J. (1926). The Maoris in the Great War. Auckland, N.Z.: Maori Regimental Committee by Whitcombe & Tombs.
https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/webarchive/20201108000000/https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-CowMaor.html
Further Reference
- Military personnel file
- References
- McDonald, W. (2001). Honours and awards to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Great War, 1914-1918. Napier, N.Z.: Helen McDonald.
p.135 - New Zealand Army Expeditionary Force. (1917). Nominal Rolls of New Zealand Expeditionary Force Volume II. Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
38: 40 - Soutar, M. (2019). Whitiki! Whiti! Whiti! E!: Maori In the First World War. New Zealand: David Bateman Ltd.
- McDonald, W. (2013). Honours and Awards to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Great War, 1914-1918. (3rd ed.). Hamilton, N.Z.: Richard Stowers.
- Cowan, J. (1926). The Maoris in the Great War. Auckland, N.Z.: Maori Regimental Committee by Whitcombe & Tombs.
- Pugsley, C. (1995). Te Hokowhitu a Tu : the Maori Pioneer Battalion in the first World War. Auckland, N.Z.: Reed.
- Neill, J.C. (Ed.). (1922). The New Zealand Tunnelling Company, 1915-1919. Auckland, N.Z.: Whitcombe & Tombs.
- Annabell, N. Official History of the New Zealand Engineers during the Great War 1914–1919. Wanganui: Evans, Cobb & Sharpe, 1927.
- McDonald, W. (2001). Honours and awards to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Great War, 1914-1918. Napier, N.Z.: Helen McDonald.
The development of the Online Cenotaph is an ongoing process; updates, new images and records are added weekly. In some cases, records have yet to be confirmed by Museum staff, and there could be mistakes or omissions in the information provided.
Online Cenotaph Data by Auckland War Memorial Museum is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.