Police pay tribute to fallen officer Matt Ratana
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.
Show us what you've been up to...
Brighten our day, and show us a glimpse into your world, neighbours.
We'd love to see some of the photos you've taken lately or any craft/DIY projects you're working on.
Simply add a photo below 📷🌅 🌻
Poll: Should the second harbour crossing be a bridge or tunnel?
The government is prioritizing building a second crossing additional to the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
What's your preference? Bridge or tunnel?
-
0% Bridge
-
0% Tunnel
-
0% Other - I'll share below
Please Help New Zealand’s longest running cat café in Birkenhead stay open
My partner and I frequent Purrs & Beans cat cafe in Birkenhead alot. It's run by a lovely couple that do it primarily to help rescue cats. They both work full-time jobs to support the cafe, but because they have so many special needs cats they have had some massive vet bills in the last few years.
They are running a pledgeme campaign to remain viable, pay off their vet bill debt, and have a buffer for future vet bills. Please check it out at www.pledgeme.co.nz...
Or you can give them a visit, or donate monthly as a Purr Pal and receive complimentary visits. If you're looking to adopt a cat they have rescued kittens/cats that you can meet and fall in love with.
purrsandbeans.co.nz
If you can help at all it would be much appreciated.
(I don't work for them, I just appreciate what they do, and all the unpaid hours they've put into this endeavour just to help cats)
Loading…
