‘About time’: Māori Battalion veteran welcomes New Zealand effort to issue unclaimed war medals

Defence force works to match medals with families of up to 500 men who served in decorated unit during second world war

New Zealand is working to get medals to the rightful homes of up to 500 men from the country's Mori Battalion, who were not properly recognised for their service.

The Mori Battalion, also known as the 28th", was one of New Zealand's most-decorated units during the second world war, fighting in Italy, Egypt, Crete and north Africa, but many of the men who served never received their medals.