‘Let our hearts beat as one, let our thoughts be united, let our cause be collective’
New Zealand police paid tribute to fallen officers with an emotional haka on Police Remembrance Day. The traditional Māori dance honoured two officers – Sergeant Matui Ratana of London’s Metropolitan Police and Constable Matthew Hunt of Auckland – who were killed in the line of duty.
Ratana, 54, was shot by a suspect who allegedly smuggled a revolver as he was being taken into police custody in London.
Known as Matt to friends and family, the officer hailed from Hawke’s Bay and moved to the UK in 1989, where he entered the police force. He served with the Metropolitan Police for nearly three decades but also became part of the NZ police between 2003 and 2008.
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“Described by former colleagues as a ‘larger-than-life character’, we remember him today,” said NZ Police Commissioner Andrew Coster.
“The haka says, ‘let our hearts beat as one, let our thoughts be united, let our cause be collective’. In my view, these very eloquently express why we’re gathered here today,” Coster said.
Sgt Matt Ratana made the UK his home and he served the communities of London for the majority of his career. He was always a New Zealander and also served the people in his country of birth with @nzpolice.
— Police Memorial (@Police_Memorial) September 29, 2020
Take the time to watch and listen to this incredible tribute to him. pic.twitter.com/jiosza8UOT
The Metropolitan Police thanked colleagues in New Zealand for their tribute to Ratana.
On Twitter, other police officers paid their respects with the hashtag #RIPMattRatana:
Officers from ERPT C pay their respects tonight to Sgt Matt Ratana and remember officers who gave their lives serving & protecting us. #RIPMattRatana #WeRemember #NPMD20 pic.twitter.com/3N6fCov8y0
— Waltham Forest MPS | North East BCU (@MPSWForest) September 27, 2020
Well done team D ERPT Croydon. Lovely tribute to #RIPMattRatana #BlueLivesMatter on Police Memorial Day. pic.twitter.com/r9gm21Kc4J
— Jamie (@J444MYY) September 27, 2020
Covering #SgtMattRatana today. He’d have been day shift with us. I was gonna repay him for breakfast he got me last week... after he tackled me in the suite and said “Come on XL, bring it in, you need a custody cuddle!” ☺️ pic.twitter.com/JoFJD2igh5
— Sergeant XL (@ConstableXL) September 27, 2020
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The annual commemoration in Wellington also honoured Constable Matthew Hunt, 28, who was shot in June as he was performing a routine traffic stop.
“This haka ensures the manner of our slain officers never diminishes. Every new constable at the beginning of their career in police takes part in the haka to the wall as Matthew did,” Coster said.
