THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT

AHURURU, Henare Kepa Te

Constable, No 1 Division, Armed Constabulary

CITATION

New Zealand Cross

For his gallant conduct during the attack on the enemy's position at Moturoa on the 7th November 1968,  The storming party, failing to find an entrance, passed round the rear of the work.  Conceiving an entrance to the pah was desired, Constable Kepa climbed the palisades of the fortification alone, in doing which he was shot through the lungs but nevertheless walked out of action and brought his arms into camp

KNOWN AWARDS

New Zealand Cross

NOTES

Born

Died

The first of four Maori awarded the New Zealand Cross for helping the settlers during the New Zealand Wars.

He later deserted and was living at Ruatoki in 1878. Even though the Order-in-Council setting up the decoration provided for the name of any recipient to be struck from the roll of honour in the event of any 'infamous or disgraceful act', Ahururu's name was left on after his desertion.