Quick-thinking Army comrades help set up pulley lifeline for Dartmoor

After 10 kilometres of walking and hitching rides, the 36-year-old linked up with his 5th/7th Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment unit. Their brief was simple – re-supply the isolated township of Dartmoor with food, water and fuel.

“I wasn’t sure how we were going to get the supplies into Dartmoor as the Mangaone River was still too dangerous to drive through. Anyway, we turned up to do a recce where the bridge used to be and there were a few locals there.

“We managed to shout loud enough across the river to organise a time to meet and deliver supplies.”

He received an unexpected surprise when he found himself working alongside an old friend from his days in the Regular Force, Lance Corporal Rex Tanoa’i-Mamapo.

The pair had served with the Queen Alexandra’s Mounted Rifles at Linton Military Camp and went through extensive driver training together.

Faced with the Dartmoor dilemma, Lance Corporal Marinus and Lance Corporal Tanoa’iMamapo put their military training to use and came up with a plan. Using a dinghy and the strength of fellow personnel they set up a pulley system to transport supplies across the river.

Lance Corporal Marinus works as a linesman for Powerlines Hawke’s Bay when he’s not carrying out Reserve Force duties, and has heard the system was still being used.

“In fact, I was having a yarn to some of my linesman mates and they’re using it to get themselves and gear across, so it’s been widely beneficial,” he said.

For 28-year-old Lance Corporal Tanoa’i-Mamapo, working with Lance Corporal Marinus on the cyclone response was like a reunion.

“Putting our driving training together and what we’d learnt with Wellington East Coast Squadron, we brought that into our tasks with 5/7 Battalion. And with our different knowledge it gave us a different way to execute a plan and make the task successful.”

Both soldiers travelled extensively during the cyclone response, and like many locals they had to come to terms with the new face of the ravaged landscape. They were both struck by the resilience of the effected communities felt a personal obligation and sense of pride in assisting their fellow New Zealanders.

“This is on our backdoor step and really gives you drive to help people,” said Lance Corporal Tanoa’i-Mamapo.