Ngarimu V.C

This documentary tells the story of Moana Ngārimu the sole soldier from the Māori Battalion to be awarded (posthumously) the Victoria Cross during WWII. On 26th March 1943, at Tebaga Gap in Tunisia, the Second Lieutenant took a key position and defended it (as well as injured men) overnight, before being killed in a counter-attack. He was 24. The doco was made for TVNZ for the 50th anniversary of his death. It looks at his life and features moving archive and interviews with Ngārimu's friends and family in Ruatoria, and battalion comrades. Presented by Wira Gardiner.

As I looked at them you know I knew what Mum and Dad and Aunty Mataroa would have thought: that the Victoria Cross was alright, you know for valour, and they accepted that, but I think deep down in their hearts they were really sorry that our brother didn’t come back in person.

– Ripeka Heeney, Ngārimu's sister, watching her father Hamuera Ngārimu receving the Cross on Ngārimu's behalf

Key Cast & Crew

Pere Maitai

Director, Producer

Whai Ngata

Executive Producer

Sean Rundle

Camera

Wira Gardiner

Presenter

Michael Willetts

Editor

Bernie Wright

Sound