174 Maich Road Manurewa, street view 2018
Reason for the name
This Manurewa Road was named in honour of Major Joseph Alexander Maich, for his military service and support to the community.
Inscribing the full name of Alex Maich honours the person, the community legend and icon. A newly installed sign at a Manurewa reserve is reminding the community of the contribution of one of its icons. The marker bearing the words Alex Maich Park was installed at the reserve in Maich Rd after the Manurewa Community Board recommended the park carry the full name of Major Alex Maich.
Manukau City Council endorsed the “naming clarification” in April 2018. One of Mr Maich’s surviving three siblings Doreen Sorich, 87, says the family is very happy with “the sign of community goodwill”. “We’ve been living on Maich Rd all our life and we are very proud the Manurewa community has got together to honour Alex,” she says.
Major Maich was the founding principal of the Manurewa High School when it opened in 1960, a post he held until 1974.
He was also well- known for his work for the welfare of returned servicemen and widows at the Manurewa RSA where he became honorary patron and a life member. But his contribution to the community and his country pre-dates his time in Manurewa. He was also a World War Two veteran and served New Zealand during times of military conflict.
Manurewa councillor and former community board chairman Daniel Newman says having a park named after Major Maich is an “entirely justified” honour. “Alex helped Manurewa to grow during the 1960s and 1970s, a time when the community was developing from semi-rural to an urban neighbourhood.” End of quote.
In a newspaper article for ANZAC day, 1999, Alex was quoted saying that he could not decide which was tougher, battling the Nazis across Europe or referring 1200 rugby matches, some of which included All Black trials.
Hansard records this from Parliament on Wednesday, April 28, 1999. WARREN KYD (NZ National—Hunua), on behalf of George Hawkins (NZ Labour—Manurewa):
I move, That this House recognises the service of Major Joseph Alexander Maich, who was in command of the Manurewa RSA Parade for the 40th year in succession this ANZAC weekend, and further acknowledges his work in the community as the retired foundation principal of Manurewa High School and who has had involvement as the Welfare Officer for the Manurewa RSA and even though he is now in his 80s he still gives dedicated service to the RSA and the citizens of Manurewa.”
Major Joseph Alexander (Alex) MAICH 508103 M.B.E., E.D., 2nd NZEF 21 Battalion, Died 23 November 2005 aged 90 years.
A man with an ethos and lifetime of service.
Joseph Alexander Maich
Born 19 August 1915 - Died 23 November 2005
SERVICE NUMBER: 508108
ALSO KNOWN AS: Alex
ARMED FORCE / BRANCH: Army
LAST RANK: Major, 21st Infantry Battalion
WAR: World War II, 1939-1945
BIRTH: 19 August 1915 Dargaville, Northland
ADDRESS BEFORE ENLISTMENT Unknown Whangarei, North Auckland, New Zealand
NEXT OF KIN ON EMBARKATION Mrs E. Maich (wife), Mamaranui, New Zealand
RELATIONSHIP STATUS Pre 21 July 1943 Married
MILITARY SERVICE:
Major Maich MBE. He went overseas with the 10th Reinforcements, served with 21 battalion up to Casino during the Italian Campaign and was seconded for duty to British movements, Taranto and for three months was attached to the Free French Division in preparations for the invasion of southern France. He was subsequently appointed DAQMG, HQ2NZEF and attained the rank of Major. He was Principal of Manurewa High School in 1960. Because of his long standing service to the community, the then Manukau City Council named Maich Road after him. He was a long serving member of the Manurewa RSA, Parade Commander for the annual ANZAC Day services, 16 years as Welfare Officer – he kept up his community work through to his 80s. A quote from the nomination for the MBE “A man who made it happen”
DAQMG, HQ 1944
DAQMG, 2 NZ Division August 1945-January 1946
MEDALS AND AWARDS:
Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Efficiency Decoration (ED)
ENLISTMENT WW2: School teacher/Civilian Whangarei, Northland
EMBARKATION DETAILS WW2: Vessel was Nieuw Amsterdam, Temporary 2nd Lieutenant 21st Battalion, C Company, 15 Platoon Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:
Son of Mate and Matija Maich. Brother of Doreen, John, Alba, Annie, Mary, Kathleen, Valerie, Thomas, Amelia
Parade Commander for ANZAC Day
Presented with a set of WW2 medals by Hon George Hawkins MP 2003
First Principal of Manurewa High School
DEATH: 23 November 2005 Age 90
Manurewa, Manukau City
CEMETERY: Manukau Memorial Gardens Cemetery & Crematorium (Papatoetoe Cemetery), 357 Puhinui Road, Puhinui, Manukau City RSA Section
OBITUARY: Death notice: New Zealand Herald, November 2005
