He maimai aroha, Te Napi Tutewehiwehi Waaka

Gettyimages

A towering figure in Te Ao Maori, Te Napi Tutewehiwehi Waaka of Tainui and Ngati Pikiao, has passed away.

Reverend Waaka was raised by his grandparents in the ngahere before being sent to Whangamarino school to learn English and then on to St Stephens College in Auckland.

In the 1950s he played saxophone in Rotorua dance bands as well as performing and composing waiata and haka with Te Pou o Mangatawhiri.

As a Methodist minister in south Taranaki he set up a kapa that laid the foundation for the Patea Maori Club.

In 2014 he was given the Waiata Maori Music Keeper of Traditions award.

Reverend Waaka was also a kaumatua and guiding force for Te Wananga o Aotearoa.

Reverend Napi will be taken to Te Takinga Marae, Mourea – Rotorua. 

Follow us on &

Copyright © 2016, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com

RELATED NEWS

Media Release: Lizzie Marvelly appointed as Director, Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa Rautaki Battle memorial opened by Rangiriri road