Palace hears Goff's plea to right WWII injustice

Haane Manahi

Defence Minister Phil Goff says he had a "positive meeting" at Buckingham Palace to get a Maori soldier the Victoria Cross which he was recommended for but never received.

Lance-Sergeant Haane Manahi, from Rotorua, was put forward for the VC for his bravery and leadership at Takrouna Ridge, North Africa, in 1943.

But despite the recommendation being backed by three generals and a field marshal, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal instead.

Mr Manahi, of Rotorua, died in 1986, but his former World War II comrades, family and tribe have tried since to have the "injustice" overturned.

A statement from the minister's office yesterday said he had visited London after trade talks in France to make a submission on behalf of the Manahi VC Committee and the Te Arawa people.

With Mr Goff were committee member and lawyer Donna Hall and historian Norman Bennett.

Mr Goff said the Government had discussed the case with the committee and Te Arawa.

Mr Manahi led three men to capture a 330m outcrop despite heavy fire from German and Italian troops.

On the best evidence, the actions of Mr Manahi were worthy of the Victoria Cross, Mr Goff said.

"In my view he won the VC not just once, but time and time again."

The entire chain of military command recommended Mr Manahi for the award and their original citation and supporting sworn statements were compelling evidence of conspicuous bravery, he said.

"We are exploring with the Queen's advisers whether his case can be reconsidered, mindful of the fact that the consistent position of the monarch since the late 1940s has been not to revisit such decisions.

"We had a positive meeting with the Queen's private secretary ... we are grateful to him for making the time and for giving us a sympathetic hearing."

Last year Donna Hall took the case to the Waitangi Tribunal, which suggested the Crown and committee work on a joint submission as a basis for a formal approach to the Queen.

In Rotorua yesterday, Donna Grant, who is a committee member and grand-niece of Mr Manahi, said supporters were grateful for the Crown's help.

They were thrilled that the full facts of the case would at last reach the ears of the Queen, said Mrs Grant.

The Queen could use her royal prerogative to overturn the original decision signed off by her father, King George VI.

"We've our fingers crossed waiting for the best-case scenario - that the VC can be given."