Mr Paneta Wi Maihi Otene

Te Ao Hou, March 1962, Page 63

Mr Paneta Wi Maihi Otene The death has occurred in Hawkes Bay of Paneta Wi Maihi Otene. Mr Otene was educated at Mangateretere School, Waerenga a Hika College, Gisborne, Te Aute College and St Stephen's College. He served with the First N.Z.E.F. as a member of the pioneer Maori Battalion in Gallipoli and in France where he was severely wounded. As a result of war services he never really enjoyed good health. In the interests of the R.S.A. organisation, Mr Otene was an active foundation member and Secretary of the Hokowhitu a Tu Association—a band of men who took a deep interest in the welfare of Maori ex-servicemen of the First World War and the affairs of the Maori people generally. He was a man of diverse interests. In the political field he was an ardent organiser of the Labour Party and he was the liaison officer of the trades unions throughout the country. Mr Otene was a talented musician and composed several songs. Perhaps the best known of his compositions was the ‘Ake Ake Waltz’, the theme being a tribute to one of his greatest ancestors, Rewi Maniapoto. Mr Otene was an accomplished pianist and an expert violinist. After his return from the First World War, Mr Otene took up farming on the Wharetoto block, on a part of what was known as Lochinvar Station, and at Wainui on the Waikato River. He subsequently returned to Ruohapie and Manapateretere in 1931, where he lived until his death. Mr Otene was a member of the Tuwharetoa Trust Board for a number of years and assisted in the management of the Pouakani development scheme at Mangakino. He was also on the management committee of the Mangakino Trust Board.