AHURURU, Henare Kepa Te
Constable, No 1 Division, Armed Constabulary
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
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.