Whānau recall forebear’s sacrifice

• Published date: 25 April 2024
• Author: Paul Williams
• Publication title: Guardian, The

In one of the last letters home, he told his brother Paul and sister-in-law Pamela he was bringing home toy trucks and planes for younger members of the whānau and, after one final operation, he would be home for Christmas

He couldn’t wait. There was a lot to look forward to. He was engaged to be married.

The last time they’d all seen him was when he returned from Malaysia for a week, en route to Vietnam. One of 10 siblings, he and the whānau had celebrated a leaving party, 21st and engagement party combined.

Peter Rauhihi (Ngāti Whakatere) flew out to Vietnam the next morning.

Growing up, he was a prefect at Shannon School and a top rugby player, swimmer and runner.

He wasn’t perfect — as a youngster he was grounded for a month for stealing biscuits and drinks from the local shop — but he paid his dues and got on with it.

His story is told by his sister Miriama Rauhihi-Ness, who wrote a piece for A Soldier’s View, a book released in 2011 that honoured the soldiers in Victor 4 Company who served in Vietnam.

“Pete was a handsome-looking guy and had a big heart and loved his family, family was always first with Pete and we loved and continue to love him ake, ake tonu.

“Pete was a happy guy and always looked to the future.

“I can vividly remember the swimming competitions in the Manawatū district and all the whānau in the town would go and watch and barrack for our team, which was called the ‘Brown Bombers’.

“There were six of them in the team including Pete and they won this competition six times.

“In the 1960s in a country town, there were no jobs and no future for young men, so I guess that is why Pete joined the army.

“He went to Linton, then to Burnham and then Malaysia and Vietnam. He died in less than a year in Vietnam.

“It just all happened so fast. I will never forget his send-off party; it was also his engagement party. He was really happy and that’s how I will always remember Pete.

“The army photo I have of him reminds me of the last time I saw him sporting that handsome grin of his.”

The family heard Peter had died when his name was broadcast...