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March 29, 2026
#nzhistory: East Coast hero remembered: Te Moananui-a-Kiwa Ngārimu’s legacy lives on
Matthew Tukaki
Posted On March 29, 2026
We write a lot about the events of today – but sometimes we should pause and remember those have shaped us.
One of Aotearoa’s most revered Māori soldiers, Te Moananui-a-Kiwa Ngārimu, continues to be remembered as a symbol of courage, sacrifice and leadership.
Born on 7 April 1919 at Whareponga on the East Coast, Ngārimu was of Ngāti Porou and Te Whānau-ā-Apanui descent, with strong whakapapa links across the region.
Raised in a close-knit whānau, he attended local Native Schools before going on to Te Aute College, where he excelled in rugby. After leaving school, he worked on the family farm and was engaged to be married before the outbreak of the Second World War.
Ngārimu enlisted in 1940 with the 28th Māori Battalion, a unit that would become one of the most decorated in New Zealand’s military history.
He served in several major campaigns, including Greece, Crete and North Africa, rising through the ranks to become a platoon commander.
It was during the Tunisian campaign in March 1943 that Ngārimu would make his mark in history.
Leading his men in an assault on a strategic position known as Point 209, he helped secure ground under intense enemy fire. Despite being wounded, he continued to lead and defend the position through repeated counter-attacks.
Ngārimu was killed in action during the fighting, but his actions were credited with helping secure the objective.
For his bravery, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest military honour for gallantry, becoming the first Māori soldier to receive the award while serving with New Zealand forces.
His medal was later presented to his parents at a hui in Ruatoria, recognising both his sacrifice and the contribution of Māori soldiers during the war.
Ngārimu’s legacy lives on through the Ngārimu VC and 28th Māori Battalion Memorial Scholarship Fund, established to promote Māori education and the preservation of language and culture.
Today, he is remembered not only as a war hero, but as a symbol of service and sacrifice for his people and for Aotearoa.
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