MR HUIRUA WHIU

Te Ao Hou, December 1961, Page 3

MR HUIRUA WHIU A well-known Maori leader, churchman, educationist and sportsman of the Tautoro district, near Kaikohe, Mr Huirua Whiu, died suddenly at Auckland recently. Aged 56, Mr Whiu liver at Tautoro all his life. He was a well-known farmer, former chairman and secretary of the Tautoro tribal committee and recognised leader of the Maori people. Mr Whiu was chairman of the Tautoro Maori School for ten years from 1949 to 1959, and secretary for two years. He took a keen interest in post-primary education and was a liaison officer between the first principal of Northland College (Mr N. P. Pitcaithly), and the Maori people of the district. His one slogan was “education—and more education.” He is known to have financially assisted many young Maori people through training colleges and university. Mr Whiu was a keen member of the Church of England, and fought hard for the establishment of the Church of the Transfiguration at Tautoro which was completed and dedicated in 1958. Mr Whiu was particularly well-known in rugby football circles as a Bay of Islands and Northland Rugby representative in the 1930s, and a Maori All Black in 1935 and 1936. In recent years he was a rugby referee. Mr Whiu is survived by his wife, twelve children (seven sons and five daughters) and four grandchildren.