THE SHARK OF WAR
New Zealand Listener|April 23 - 29, 2022
The life of Harding Waipuke Leaf is like an Indiana Jones tale of bravery, leadership and high jinks, writes LAWRENCE WATT, who has made a documentary about the Northland war hero.
LAWRENCE WATT
THE SHARK OF WAR

Harding Waipuke Leaf was a fearsome fighter and charismatic leader.

Harding WaipukeLeaf's story is well known if not legendary - to the Northland Māori community and to war buffs and historians, but perhaps not so familiar to other New Zealanders.

Descending from Ngāpuhi and Te Hikutu, Leaf was a captain in Māori units in both world wars, including at the battle for Chunuk Bair, Gallipoli. He has always been remembered as a charismatic character who had an ability to make things happen, tested limits, enjoyed life and made the most of tough situations.

Making a television documentary about Leaf was a once-in-a-lifetime chance. It's called Kia Mate ā Ururoa - The Shark of War, named after the battle cry he used to rally his men at Chunuk Bair: “Kia mate a ururoa, kaua heimate a tarakihi.” (It means, “Let us fight bravely to the death like the white pointer shark, not die quietly like the tarakihi.")

New Zealand military historian and former SAS soldier Dr Monty Soutar, ONZM (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Awa), who features in the documentary, describes Leaf as a man who "reeked of mana".

As well as Gallipoli, Leaf fought in many of the bloodiest campaigns of World War I, including the battles of the Somme and Passchendaele. He served for more than four years and was awarded the Military Cross in 1917.

At the age of 49, he signed up again for World War II and was a senior officer in the 28 Māori Battalion, serving with distinction in the battles of Greece and on Crete. "He is what Māoricall'Tini Toa' - many warriors," Soutar says.

Filming for this documentary, in places such as Whirinaki and Õpononi, on the Hokianga Harbour in Northland, was an emotional experience. I felt that such beautiful places must have been on Leaf's mind when on a foreign battlefield, surrounded by carnage and death.

Bu hikaye New Zealand Listener dergisinin April 23 - 29, 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye New Zealand Listener dergisinin April 23 - 29, 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

NEW ZEALAND LISTENER DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
First-world problem
New Zealand Listener

First-world problem

Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.

time-read
3 dak  |
September 9, 2024
Applying intelligence to AI
New Zealand Listener

Applying intelligence to AI

I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.

time-read
2 dak  |
September 9, 2024
Nazism rears its head
New Zealand Listener

Nazism rears its head

Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.

time-read
2 dak  |
September 9, 2024
Staying ahead of the game
New Zealand Listener

Staying ahead of the game

Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?

time-read
4 dak  |
September 9, 2024
Grasping the nettle
New Zealand Listener

Grasping the nettle

Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.

time-read
3 dak  |
September 9, 2024
Hangry? Eat breakfast
New Zealand Listener

Hangry? Eat breakfast

People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.

time-read
3 dak  |
September 9, 2024
Chemical reaction
New Zealand Listener

Chemical reaction

Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.

time-read
4 dak  |
September 9, 2024
Me and my guitar
New Zealand Listener

Me and my guitar

Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.

time-read
2 dak  |
September 9, 2024
Time is on my side
New Zealand Listener

Time is on my side

Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?

time-read
7 dak  |
September 9, 2024
The kids are not alright
New Zealand Listener

The kids are not alright

Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.

time-read
4 dak  |
September 9, 2024