Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu
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Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu VC |
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Te Moananui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu, c1940
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| Born |
7 April 1918 Whareponga, New Zealand |
| Died | 27 March 1943 (aged 24) † Tebaga Gap, Tunisia |
| Buried at | Sfax War Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 New Zealand
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| Service/branch |
 New Zealand Military Forces
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| Years of service | 1940-43 |
| Rank | Second Lieutenant |
| Unit | 28th (Māori) Battalion |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
| Relations |
Materoa Reedy (aunt) Arnold Reedy (cousin) |
Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu VC (7 April 1918 – 27 March 1943) was a New Zealand soldier and posthumous recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
A Māori of Ngati Porou and Te Whanau-a-Apanui descent, Ngarimu was born on 7 April 1918 in Whareponga in the East Coast region. He was the son of Hamuera Meketu Ngarimu, and his wife Maraea. Materoa Reedy was his father's sister, and Arnold Reedy was his cousin. He grew up in Ruatoria where he attended Hiruharama School before going on to attend Te Aute College at Poukawa in Hawkes Bay. After completing his fourth form year, he worked as a shepherd on his father's sheep farm.
Following the outbreak of the Second World War, Ngarimu joined the New Zealand Army on 11 February 1940, volunteering for the 28th (Māori) Battalion. The battalion, which embarked in May 1940 with the 2nd Echelon of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force was destined for the Middle East to join the 1st Echelon, but instead was diverted to England in May 1940 where it formed part of the island's defence against a possible German invasion. The battalion eventually arrived in Egypt in March 1941.
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Wikipedia