20 DECEMBER

NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE

Scott Allan BARCLAY (X56118)

Gunner, Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery

On 8 February 1990 a group of nine soldiers were caught in a rip while swimming at Karioitahi Beach, Auckland. Gunner Barclay managed to rescue one soldier and although close to exhaustion, commandeered a surf board and re-entered the surf and rescued a second soldier. His total disregard for his own safety almost certainly saved the two soldiers from drowning.

Murray John WHITMORE

Sergeant, New Zealand Police

On 7 May 1990 a 16 year old youth appeared before Judge Augusta Wallace in the Otahuhu Youth Court on four various charges. The Judge remanded the accused into Social Welfare custody and then addressed some comments to him. The youth took exception to these comments and then without warning produced a machete, moved towards the Judge, raised it above his head and brought it down on the right-hand side of the Judge’s head, inflicting horrific injuries. Sergeant Whitmore, the Police prosecutor, was seated at the back of the court room and upon seeing what was taking place moved forward to restrain the youth. He could not prevent the first blow being struck but managed, with assistance, to prevent a further attack. Sergeant Whitmore then took control of the situation and rendered first aid to the Judge. His prompt and brave actions almost certainly saved the Judge’s life.

Owen Haslam WOODS,

Assistant Commander, No 1A01 District (Auckland), New Zealand Fire Service

Raymond WARBY

Divisional Officer, No 1A01 District (Auckland), New Zealand Fire Service

On the evening of Thursday 9 August 1990 a petrol tanker towing a trailer unit collided with a motor vehicle adjacent to a shopping centre at Wiri Station Road, Manukau City. On impact, the trailer unit overturned and a rapidly increasing and intense fire occurred from the large amount of blazing petrol that was escaping. There was a risk of a major conflagration and explosion. A young girl was discovered trapped under the overturned trailer.

Divisional Officer Warby arranged for protective sprays to be directed on the area in which the girl was trapped and being comforted by a fellow fire Fighter. He crawled in under the trailer to ascertain what additional assistance he could provide. He then proceeded to move round under the tanker and trailer for periods over an hour coordinating the work of raising the vehicle to allow rescue.

Assistant Commander Woods was also involved in the efforts to extricate the girl. He not only had to control the New Zealand Fire Service resources in protecting the casualty and a fellow Fire Fighter comforting the girl but also had to organise the personnel and materials to effect a rapid and safe rescue.

The skill and devotion to duty of both officers in placing themselves in positions of great danger reflects the highest ideals and traditions of the New Zealand Fire Service.

Kevin Bruce ANDERSON

Traffic Officer, Traffic Safety Service, Ministry of Transport

On 12 August 1990 Traffic Officer Anderson, disregarding his own safety and in bitterly cold, wet and dangerous conditions, clambered down with the aid of a rope, the slippery face of the Forest View Waterfalls in the Mangamuku Gorge to rescue an English tourist. He found the man in a deep pool, about 30 feet below, but the man had apparently died from his injuries. He then assisted with the recovery of the body. The tourist had fallen over the edge of the waterfalls while filming.

Brent THORPE

On the afternoon of 27 October 1990, Mr Thorpe was an eyewitness at the scene of a collision between three vehicles on State Highway 2. One of the vehicles exploded into flames after being hit from behind and was forced into the path of another vehicle. Disregarding his personal safety he rushed to the burning vehicle and pulled the unconscious driver to safety, then returned and assisted another occupant to escape the wreckage. His prompt actions without doubt saved the life of the driver of the vehicle.

Michael Arthur KYNE

Sergeant, New Zealand Police

Timothy Philip ASHTON

Constable, New Zealand Police

Robert William BARLASS

Constable, New Zealand Police

Peter Gerard McCARTHY

Constable, New Zealand Police

On 13 November 1990 at Aramoana, a young man ran amok with a firearm and massacred thirteen people before being fatally shot by Police the next day. Sergeant Kyne was the leader, and Constables Ashton, Barlass and McCarthy, members of, an Anti Terrorist Squad deployed in the Aramoana village.

Sergeant Kyne led his team on a painstaking and methodical search of the nine houses in the village, in an endeavour to apprehend the gunman. In the course of the operation the gunman fired indiscriminate semi-automatic gunfire at Sergeant Kyne and his team.

Constables Barlass and McCarthy attempted to lob tear gas grenades into the house amid heavy fire from the gunman. Without warning the gunman burst from the residence firing indiscriminately from the hip at Constables Ashton and McCarthy and others, calling for the Police to shoot him. Constable McCarthy appealed in vain for the gunman to drop his weapon, and simultaneously the gunman was hit and felled by return Police fire.

Sergeant Kyne and his team placed themselves in a situation of extreme danger in order to apprehend the gunman. Their conduct was in the best traditions of the New Zealand Police.

Miss Chiquita Danielle HOLDEN

Miss Chiquita Holden, aged 9, resided with her father at Aramoana. At the time the gunman started firing shots, on 13 November 1990, Chiquita was visiting friends. She heard shooting and saw her father go to a neighbour’s house. A further argument was followed by shooting and Chiquita learned her father had been shot. Almost immediately the gunman, a neighbour, entered the house she was in and shot her with a rifle. After receiving a gunshot wound to her stomach and leg, and on her own initiative, she then ran from the house to obtain help and warn the neighbours, at the same time warning two young boys of the situation. Chiquita was driven back to the address where she found the house on fire, and was again shot at. Chiquita showed remarkable presence of mind, stamina and determined courage.

Dated at Wellington this 19th day of December 1991.

K. L. RICHARDSON, Official Secretary, Government House.

PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY: DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS

GP PRINT LIMITED, WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND—1991

ISSN 0111-6650

Price $3 (incl. GST)