Hone Petiha

Surname
Petiha
Forename(s)
Hone

World War 1

WW1 Serial No
16/82
WW1 address
Tokomaru Bay, New Zealand
WW1 next of kin
Makahuri Petiha (brother), Hastings, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
WW1 embarkation body
1st Maori Contingent, Maori Reinforcements
WW1 embarkation unit
B Company, 19th Reinforcements

Comments (1)

On January 1, 1916, the hospital ship 'Maheno' arrived in Auckland with 317 sick and wounded men aboard.This article was found on page 2 of the Otago Daily Times, 3 January 1916:MAORIS LIKE THE GAMEAn interesting chat with a group of returned Maoris was obtained. One of them — Hone Abraham, of Wanganui — was lying in bed on the forward deck. At his side was Hone Petiha, a soft-spoken Maori from Tokomaru Bay. Petiha was shot through the lungs while the Maoris were preparing a position for the British Territorial at Anzac, and according to his comrades he had a close call. On that particular day in August the Turks were shelling the position rather heavily, and the Maoris were ordered to look about for a place where the Territorials might go on their arrival. Petiha said the Maoris liked fighting. "I have nothing to say except that it is a good game," he added, "and the Maoris are doing well." In the course of further conversation the Natives said that they would rather fight alongside the New Zealanders and Australians than anyone. They were much impressed with the Ghurkas, who were just like little, fat Maoris, they explained, and they thought that the Sikhs were also worthy comrades.