There’s a space in Ngaire Te Tai’s home she visits each day for quiet moments, where photos of her son Kane sit beside a glass display cabinet holding army medals, poppies and a stuffed teddy bear in military attire. A sculptured turtle sits as a centrepiece, metres from a baby photo of the dad-of-one, in honour of his battlefield codename “Turtle”.
Memories are all Ngaire, a mum-of-seven, has left of her firstborn now, along with the bittersweet knowledge he died a Ukrainian war hero.
In April 2022, Kane flew from New Zealand to Ukraine to support the fight against Russia’s invasion, a cause the former New Zealand Defence Force soldier, 38, vowed he was prepared to die for. Sadly, on 20 March this year, while on the front lines in eastern Ukraine, Kane lost his life.
“I just want people to know that Kane was a warrior and he went out like a warrior,” says Ahipara-based Ngaire, 56, chatting to Woman’s Day about her beloved son, who was of Ngāpuhi descent.
“I love talking about him and I feel a connection when I’m sharing stories about Kane. It’s like it immortalises him.”
From the time her son could read and write at four, Ngaire knew Kane had a mind that yearned for stimulation and learning.
He excelled at his Sega video games and was equally comfortable outdoors in the bush near his childhood home in Beach Haven, Auckland.
“He was at one with nature and a typical boy, but in saying that, he was a mummy’s boy,” laughs Ngaire, who was a single mother until she met her husband Keith when Kane was four. “He was really smart and he had to have challenging activities to do.”
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 18, 2023 من Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 18, 2023 من Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
LIVING WITH LONG COVID
Whether you or someone close to you is suffering, the support you get will make all the difference
WENTWORTH STAR LEAH 'I FELT SO STRONG!'
The Aussie acting legend talks love, leeches, lifting weights and her new series High Country
TV STAR SAMUEL 'NO ONE GOES ON MAFS FOR LOVE'
The skincare entrepreneur has some advice for the new contestants
Khristian's RECIPE FOR LOVE
This contestant had to choose between his partner and the MasterChef kitchen
A YEAR WITHOUT JOCK 'WE WERE TWO HALVES'
It's been 12 months of milestones and missing the beloved MasterChef Australia judge
HUGH'S KIDS TELL 'WE'LL LOOK AFTER YOU, DAD'
While the actor struggles to find his feet after his divorce, Ava and Oscar are as worried as his fans
CAM'S BODY IMAGE BATTLE 'IT'S OK NOT TO HAVE ABS!
After years of being bullied when he was younger, the CTI star wants to help empower others
HOME AND AWAY CAST DIVIDED OVER NEW ROMANCE
Ada and James' love life is the talk of the town - and Summer Bay!
THE MOMENT CHARLES MADE ZARA A PRINCESS?!
The King is on a mission to give his niece a leg-up in the monarchy
BRAD & INES' ROMANCE HEATS UP!
Life was a beach for Brad Pitt and his girlfriend Ines de Ramon as they enjoyed a romantic stroll along the waterfront in Santa Barbara last week.