Brian Poananga

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
Died	5 September 1995(1995-09-05) (aged 70) Taupo, New Zealand
Allegiance	New Zealand
Service/branch	New Zealand Army
Years of service	1944–81
Rank	Major General
Commands held	Chief of the General Staff 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment
Battles/wars	Second World War Occupation of Japan Korean War Malayan Emergency Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation
Awards	Companion 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]

References

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.

Military offices
Preceded by Major General Ronald Hassett	Chief of the General Staff 1978–1981	Succeeded by Major General R. G. Williams