Hemi Wiremu

Te Ao Hou, September 1967, Page 24

Hemi Wiremu The Head Receptionist at New Zealand House in London is Hemi Wiremu of Kaitaia who went to the other side of the world with the Maori Battalion and now, at fifty-four, is settled with his family in London. Hemi was educated at St Stephens and was later on the staff there, teaching agriculture from 1931–1936. He then worked at the Forestry Department in Rotorua, working also for the St John Ambulance Brigade there. As well, he started the 2nd Company of the Boys' Brigade at Ohinemutu, and was a lay reader at St Faith's Church. This busy life was interrupted by the Second World War: Hemi was a lieutenant in the Nga Puhi A Company. He was captured in Greece and spent four years as a prisoner-of-war in Germany. In 1945 he was released, came to London, met his English wife, and spent a year at Bangor University in North Wales doing a forestry course. He and his wife visited New Zealand in 1946, returned to London in 1947, and have remained there ever since. Hemi worked in farm management, and as a member of the voluntary civil police, until in 1963 he joined the staff of New Zealand House as Commissionaire. Hemi and his wife have two sons and a daughter, all at school. The eldest son hopes to go to Oxford University next year. Hemi is an active member of the Aotearoa Maori Club. He enjoys the chance of meeting New Zealanders in his job, and obviously often thinks of home. —Barbara Ewing.