Ihakara Robin

Te Ao Hou, December 1968, Page 2

Ihakara Robin An elder of the Ngati Kahungunu people

and a highly respected orator, Mr Ike Robin died last June, aged 82. He was born at Wairoa but spent most of his life at Kohupatiki Pa. In his younger days he was a sportsman of outstanding ability, winning New Zealand and Australasian wrestling titles and twice drawing with the world titleholder. Mr Robin operated shearing gangs and once was the biggest contractor in Hawke's Bay. Other interests were in politics — he was a foundation member of the Labour Party, and in the Anglican Church, where he was a prominent lay-reader. His continual work on behalf of the Maori people was recognized by the award of the M.B.E. Although crippled by rheumatism in recent years, he was still active in the Maori community, and was a guest and orator at many tribal functions. He is survived by his wife Mei and six sons, Don, Robbie, Dave, John, Wapi, James and his daughter Erina (Mrs W. T. Bennett). Four children, Te Aroha, Mauria, Aro and John predeceased him.