Knighthood Conferred

Te Ao Hou, June 1968, Page 38

Knighthood Conferred Mr John Te Herekiekie Grace, M.V.O., of Wanganui, was created a Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (K.B.E.) in this year's New Year honours list. An elder of Ngati Tuwharetoa and member of Te Arawa and Mataatua tribes, Sir John, owner of a sheep station on the Parapara Road, spends most of his time advising his people on their affairs. Educated at Tokaanu Primary School, Te Aute College and Wanganui Technical College, Sir John joined the Lands and Survey Department in 1926 and the Maori

Affairs Department in 1928. He served with the R.N.Z.A.F. during World War II and attained the rank of Squadron Leader. He served as Private Secretary to the Rt Hon. Peter Fraser, to the Hon. E. B. Corbett, to the Rt Hon. Keith Holyoake, and in 1958 to the Rt Hon. Walter Nash. Since 1959 he has held various executive positions with the National Party, and contested the Wanganui seat in 1963 and 1966. He is also the author of ‘Tuwharetoa’ a tribal history published in 1959, for which he collected material for over 20 years.