1450 days ago

Police pay tribute to fallen officer Matt Ratana

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

Matiu "Matt" Ratana, the New Zealand-born police officer killed in the line of duty in the United Kingdom in October, has been remembered by police with a special rugby game.

Auckland police and Counties Manukau police honoured the "strong rugby boy" on Saturday by playing each other in the inaugural game for the Sgt Matt Matiu Ratana Memorial trophy.

Ratana, 54, worked for both districts while policing in New Zealand.

Ratana, 54, who was originally from Hawke's Bay, was shot dead in a South London custody centre on September 25, allegedly by a man who had been detained, while working for Metropolitan Police.

The trophy was funded by former New Zealand Police colleagues and acknowledges Ratana's rank of sergeant in the Metropolitan Police Service.

It bears a huia feather - the police tradition to honour fallen officers.

Also attached to the trophy are blue and white ribbons showing the colours of Auckland and of Ratana's beloved East Grinstead Rugby Football Club.

The commemorative game will become an annual event for police rugby in Auckland and Counties Manukau.

More messages from your neighbours
13 hours ago

Solve This Riddle or Be Left Scratching Your Head!

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

With pointed fangs, I sit and wait;
with piercing force, I crunch out fate.
I grab victims, proclaiming might,
and physically join with a single bite.
What am I?

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

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Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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1 day ago

Poll: How should Guy Fawkes be celebrated?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

While it is a fun occasion, fireworks on Guy Fawkes Night has caused much conflict over the years, upsetting our pets and disrupting the sleep of neighbours.

How should we celebrate Guy Fawkes Night? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.

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How should Guy Fawkes be celebrated?
  • 28% With a city-wide public fireworks display
    28% Complete
  • 20.4% Small fireworks displays in each community
    20.4% Complete
  • 7.6% Keep it as is
    7.6% Complete
  • 32.6% We shouldn't celebrate it!
    32.6% Complete
  • 10.9% Anything but fireworks
    10.9% Complete
  • 0.5% Other - I'll share below
    0.5% Complete
1553 votes
19 days ago

What's your favourite recipe for gooseberry?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Love gooseberries? Share your favourite way to enjoy them. We're looking for our readers' favourite family recipes for this delicious crop. Send yours to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the magazine, you will receive a free copy of our December 2024 issue.

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