Tears in Ngāti Kahungunu for noted sportsman, teacher and kaumatua Ruruarau Heitia Hiha, who died yesterday at Hawkes Bay Hospital aged 85.
Mr Hiha and his wife Margaret were well known in sporting circles, her as a player and administrator for hockey, softball, tennis and basketball, and him for rugby including being a Māori All Black from 1954 to 1957, and representing Tairawhiti, East Coast and Hawkes Bay.
He also played representative tennis for Hawkes Bay and the New Zealand Māori team.
The couple, who met at Ardmore Teacher’s Training College, taught for more than 30 years.
In the late 1980s Mr Hiha joined the Department of Social Welfare to work on implementing the Puao Te Ata Tū report, and then became iwi liaison officer for Hawkes Bay Regional Council and Napier City Council.
He also chaired Te Whanganui a Orotū Wai55 Treaty Claim.
Māori Sports Awards chair Dick Garratt says a true kauri has fallen.
Heitia Hiha was taken today to Pukemokimoki Marae at Maraenui in Napier where his funeral service will be held Saturday followed by interment at Petane Marae Urupā.
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