Kua Hinga He Totara I Te Wao Nui A Tane. A Totara Has Fallen In The Forest Of Tane.
Rawiri Te Whare. 24.07.1943 – 11.11.2012
It was with great sadness that we bid fare well to our prominent leader and kaumatua at Ohaki Marae on the 14th November 2012.
Eulogies flowed in from around the country over the days of his tangi, with a special reading on the funeral day on behalf of PM John Key.
People attended from around the motu, sharing stories of his great leadership, service to maori, and his passion for god. Whilst Tahu-Whaoa lays claim to this great man, Rawiri was a leader of many.
A lead negotiator in the Te Arawa settlements, involved in the CNI negoitations, General Manager of Te Pumautanga O Te Arawa, Board member of Te Kotahitanga O Te Arawa Fisheries, Waiariki Polytechnic to name but a few.
A long standing server of the Tahu-Whaoa people, he received the NZ Order of Merit in 2010 for his work with Maori, and as an Iwi we recognised him with a chieftainship in the same year. His legacy will continue on through the people of Tahu-Whaoa – Unity of our people is important and we must stand firm in our progress forward. Ka Ora Te Iwi – Ka Ora Te Tangata!