PEOPLE AND PLACES In the photograph above, Kiri Te Kanawa sings Maori songs at a cocktail party which preceded the dinner at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Los Angeles, to celebrate the commencement of Air New Zealand's twice weekly flights from Auckland to Los Angeles. Her accompanist is Miss Barbara Connelly, who also accompanied Kiri during her recent Australian tour. Miss Connelly is also of part Maori descent. Among the special New Zealand guests present at the invitation of the airline was Sir Turi Carroll, chairman of the New Zealand Maori Council. Since her triumph in singing contests in Australia last year, Kiri Te Kanawa has had a most enthusiastic reception at concerts in Auckland, Gisborne, Hamilton and Wellington. She has been awarded a scholarship of £2,500 by the Queen Elizabeth Arts Council, and last February left New Zealand to further her studies overseas. Lieutenant Eru Ihaka Manuera (photo, right) of the 1st Ranger Squadron, New Zealand Special Air Service, was recently awarded the Military Cross for gallant and distinguished services in Sarawak. The award was announced by the Governor-General, Sir Bernard Fergusson. Lieutenant Manuera is aged 27 and is married with one child. He was born at Kaitaia and educated at Kaitaia College. He was com-