Jul 05 - Piupiu returns home
In July the Navy welcomed back the piupiu of HMS NEW ZEALAND after a lengthy stay in England. The piupiu was presented as a gift in 1913 to Captain Lionel Halsey, RN, Commanding Officer of HMS NEW ZEALAND. At the time of the presentation, Captain Halsey was requested to always wear the piupiu in battle, and common lore had it that it would protect the Captain, and the Ship's Company, during the battle.
HMS NEW ZEALAND and the piupiu took part in three major North Sea battles in World War I, including the Battle of Jutland.
The piupiu was returned to the RNZN on 4 July, at the New Zealand High Commission in London, where Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral D.I. Ledson, ONZM and Lieutenant T. Ripia, RNZN, accepted it from the family of Captain Halsey, RN. On Friday 8 July 2005, the RNZN held a ceremony at Te Taua Moana Marae to welcome home the piupiu. The piupiu was then handed over to the Naval Museum for safe keeping and subsequent display.
Right: the piupiu at the Te Taua Moana Marae ceremony
Above: Mr John Wood, Admiral Halsey's grandson, and CN RADM David Ledson at the formal handover of the piupiu from the family to the RNZN in London.