Further information related to the Duke of York Visit

His Royal Highness The Duke of York (pictured, right, during a 2005 trip to NZ) will tour two Defence Force bases and participate in special ceremonies while in New Zealand this week.

On Friday 16 March the Duke will visit members of the Royal New Zealand Army Logistics Regiment (RNZALR) at Trentham Military Camp.  The Duke is Colonel-in-Chief of the RNZALR and the regiment is known as the Duke of York’s Own.  He will be greeted at the camp by a Royal Guard of Honour and receive a Maori welcome from the Army’s Maori Cultural Group.
 
On Saturday 17 March he will attend a significant ceremony in Rotorua to honour the gallantry of the late Lance Sergeant (LSGT) Haane Manahi during WWII.  The Duke of York will present an award to representatives of Te Arawa and the Manahi family comprising of an altar cloth, a letter from The Queen, and a sword.

Te Arawa will in turn present the sword to the Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae along with a patu in memory of LSGT Haane Manahi.  The sword will be displayed in the CDF’s office. 

The patu will be worn on appropriate occasions as part of the dress of the CDF.  These gifts are a tangible link between Haane Manahi, The Queen, Te Arawa and all serving members of the Defence Force.

On Sunday 18 March the Duke will attend the re-dedication ceremony of the Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph.  A catafalque guard comprising personnel from the Army, Navy and Air Force will be paraded in support of the ceremony.

The following day he will tour Devonport Naval Base, and visit the Navy’s Bridge Simulator before attending a lunch hosted by the Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral David Ledson.  

Media are invited to attend the Welcome Ceremony for The Duke of York at Trentham Military Camp from 11.15am to 12.15pm on Friday 16 March.  Media wishing to attend are required to register with Ally Clelland on (04) 496 0273 or 021 569 130 before 3pm Thursday 15 March.   Appropriate photo ID must be on display at all times while on Defence property.