Major General Brian Matauru Poananga, CB, CBE (2 December 1924 – 5 September 1995) was a New Zealand sportsman, military leader and diplomat. Of Māori descent, he identified with the Ngāti Porou and Rangitāne iwi. He was born in Palmerston North, Manawatu, in 1924. He was educated at Palmerston North Boys' High School.[1]

Brian Poananga
Born(1924-12-02)2 December 1924
Palmerston North, New Zealand
Died5 September 1995(1995-09-05) (aged 70)
Taupō, New Zealand
AllegianceNew Zealand
Service/branchNew Zealand Army
Years of service1944–81
RankMajor General
Commands heldChief of the General Staff
1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment
Battles/warsSecond World War
Occupation of Japan
Korean War
Malayan Emergency
Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation
AwardsCompanion of the Order of the Bath
Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Mentioned in Despatches (2)

In the 1962 Queen's Birthday Honours, Poananga was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (Military Division).[2] He was promoted to Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1968 Queen's Birthday Honours,[3] and further promoted to Commander of the same Order in the 1978 New Year Honours.[4] In the 1980 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath.[5]

References edit

  1. ^ Poananga, Henare Matauru (Pon). "Poananga, Brian Matauru – Biography". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  2. ^ "No. 42685". The London Gazette (3rd supplement). 2 June 1962. p. 4348.
  3. ^ "No. 44602". The London Gazette (3rd supplement). 8 June 1968. p. 6339.
  4. ^ "No. 47420". The London Gazette (3rd supplement). 31 December 1977. p. 44.
  5. ^ "No. 48214". The London Gazette (3rd supplement). 14 June 1980. p. 43.
Military offices
Preceded by
Major General Ronald Hassett
Chief of the General Staff
1978–1981
Succeeded by
Major General Rob Williams