A Maori soldier from Palmerston North has been awarded for his mahi with an award from the United States Army.
Lieutenant Colonel Oiroa Kaihau was presented with a United States Meritorious Service Medal for his work in Afghanistan with the New Zealand Defence Force in 2009.
He was the New Zealand Army's senior officer co-ordinating logistics for New Zealand forces in Afghanistan.
He says he didn't think his efforts required special recognition and was just satisfied that his team did a good job and that everyone came home.
Lieutenant Colonel Kaihau works as part of a project team in the Centre for Defence and Security Studies responsible for the development and delivery of postgraduate education to the Royal Brunei Armed Forces..
