November 23, 2021
Bushman turned churchman loss to Te Arawa
Te Arawa is mourning Bob Schuster, a bushman turned churchman who was one of the tribe’s most loved elders.
Canon Schuster died on Sunday aged 89.
A notable rugby player, he propped for the Bay of Plenty Steamers and trialed as a Māori All Black, and in later years was an iwi representative with the New Zealand Rugby Union.
He worked in forestry gangs and timber yards until his wife Emily, a highly regarded weaver, encouraged him into his role with the Anglican church.
Through the church he became a fluent speaker of te reo Māori and a familiar figure on marae in the area.
He was also called on by the government to bless New Zealand embassies and consulates around the world.
The couple had six children, several of whom are active in arts and heritage.
The tangi for Bob Schuster is at Te Pakira Marae in Whakarewarewa, and after the service tomorrow he will be buried beside his wife at Nga Rūrū urupā at Rotoiti.