Uncle Manuera was from a family of 6 boys and 2 girls.
Came from a small settlement south west of Kaitaia in Northland, Pawarenga

Te Aupouri te iwi
Te Uri O Tai te Hapu
Morehu te Marae
Kurahaupo te Waka
Oranga te Maunga
Rotokakahi te Awa
Te Okena te Matua Tupuna
Ko Puti tona Kuia.

HIs first language was Maori.
He came home with some war scars, but body all intact.
He never missed Anzac Day celebrations. Was up at dawn and kept
warm by his little flask of whiskey along with other buddies sitting
in the back rows at the Auckland Museum.
He didn't talk much about the war, only about the places and the people
he met and loved.
Moe mai e te Matua, moe mai i roto i te Rangimarie, nau hoki
te kororia, nau hoki te tumanako i enei raa o muri nei.
"I te hekenga O te raa, e kore koutou e warewaretia."