Hoani Waititi
Hoani Retimana Waititi | |
|---|---|
| Parents |
|
| Relatives | Dame June Mariu (niece) Rawiri Waititi (grand-nephew) Kahurangi Waititi (niece) Taika Waititi (relative) |
Hoani Retimana Waititi (12 April 1926 – 30 September 1965) was a notable New Zealand teacher, educationalist and community leader. Of Māori descent, he identified with the Te Whānau-ā-Apanui iwi. He worked as a teacher and in other areas of education. He died of cancer at the age of 39.[1] Hoani Waititi Marae in West Auckland is named in his honour.
Personal life
Waititi was born in Whangaparaoa near Cape Runaway, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, in 1926.[2] His mother was Kirimātao Heremia Kerei and his father was Kūaha Waititi, a farmer. Both parents were from the Te Whānau-a-Kauaetangohia hapū of Te Whānau-ā-Apanui.
As a child, Waititi attended the Cape Runaway School, then St Stephen’s School, where he received a scholarship to attend Te Aute College.[3] When he was 17 he passed a extramural Māori course through Victoria University College.[2]
Waititi lied about his age to begin training with the Royal New Zealand Air Force in February 1944. He transferred to the Māori Battalion a year later, and served in Italy, before travelling to Japan with J Force. He was discharged in October 1946.[2]
After the war, he trained as a teacher in 1947–48. In 1949 he taught at Te Kaha Māori District High School and at Nūhaka Māori School in Hawke’s Bay. From 1949-1957 he primarily taught at St Stephen's, but also taught te reo Māori at the Queen Victoria School for Maori Girls and Auckland Girls' Grammar School.[4] He received a BA from the University of Auckland in 1955.[2]
Notable relations
June Mariu is his niece, the daughter of his older brother Manihera. Rawiri Waititi is his great-nephew.[5]
References
- ^ Angela Ballara; June Mariu. "Hoani Retimana Waititi". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 1 December 2011.
- ^ a b c d "Waititi, Hoani Retimana | Dictionary of New Zealand Biography | Te Ara". teara.govt.nz. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ^ N.Z. Press Association (4 October 1965). "Obituary". Press. p. 23. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ^ "Hoani Retimana (John) Waititi". www.komako.org.nz. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ^ Shanks, Katee (12 September 2014). "Election Profile: Rawiri Waititi". Rotorua Daily Post. The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 27 July 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2020.