- A crime against history

Tui a runga
Tui a raro
Tui a waho
Tui a roto
Tihei mauri ora

I hear the call from above/below/outside/and inside behold the breathe of life

The challenge met, police and relatives of the medal recipients are led onto the marae. Photo: NZDF

Tuesday 21 October dawned cold, crisp and clear. Police, Armed Forces representatives and friends and relatives of medal recipients, gathered at Rongomaraeroa o Ngā Hau e Whā, the New Zealand Army Marae at Waiouru, for a powhiri.

A tui sang its heart out, heralding the fact that the return of the medals was a happy and good outcome for all.
Central District Commander, Superintendent Russell Gibson and the assembled party faced one of the most dramatic and fierce challenges (wero). Only rarely performed, it is special to the Army. Warriors, so highly charged that they were indifferent to the freezing winds blowing off Ruapehu, gave an amazing and daunting display.

Senior Sergeant Chris Bensemann and Sergeant Te Rangi Maniapoto carried the medals, safe in a secure container, and placed them in front of the marae.

Speeches were made, responses given, the medals were blessed and everyone moved to the welcome warmth of the wharekai for a sumptuous breakfast.

Warriors and army members perform a haka as Head of the Army, Major General Lou Gardiner and other military dignitaries look on. Photo: Senior Constable Mike Smith, Palmerston North

Phase two of the return ceremony took place at the Queen Elizabeth II Army Memorial Museum at Waiouru.

Senior representatives of the Armed Forces, the Police Commissioner, Deputy and Assistant Commissioners, politicians and descendants, relatives and friends of the medal recipients were present to celebrate and give thanks for their return.

Major General Lou Gardiner spoke, thanking police for their work in securing the return of the medals. He articulated what the medals represented to the army and the violation felt by the army, family and friends of the medal recipients and the country when they were lost.

Commissioner Howard Broad responded saying of the crime, “It was a crime against the soldiers whose valour is recognised by these medals and against all the men and women who fought for our country in times of unimaginable horror.

“This was a crime against their suffering, and against our history.”

The Commissioner spoke of the ‘relief’ experienced by police at the recovery of the medals and the subsequent arrest of those allegedly responsible and he praised Chris and the Operation Valour Team who worked so hard to secure their recovery and make the arrests.

Senior Sergeant Chris Bensemann and Sergeant Te Rangi Maniapoto carry the medals onto the marae. Photo: Senior Constable Mike Smith, Palmerston North

He acknowledged the contribution of the two men who put up the reward money, Lord Ashcroft and Tom Sturgess, which facilitated the return of the medal sets.

Lord Ashcroft was not present at the ceremony but Tom Sturgess was presented with a Commissioner’s commendation and a special commemorative book put together by the Operation Valour Team to mark his contribution to the investigation outcomes.

Lord Ashcroft was suitably recognised by the Commissioner when he visited New Zealand some months ago.

Chief of the Defence Force, Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae, ONZM then presented Chris with a Chief of Defence Force’s Commendation in recognition of the work carried out by him and his team.

The medals were then formally handed back by police to the army and relatives of the original recipients to be placed in their new secure display cases.