Hoani Waititi papers on Maori culture and language.

Throughout his lifetime Hoani Retimana Waititi (1926-1965) of Te Whanau-a-Apanui, Bay of Plenty, was committed to teaching and education, involved in the sports, arts and entertainment spheres, and possessed a great concern for others. He belonged to, and was involved with, many committees, groups and organisations. In a tribute to Waititi after his death in 1965 at the age of 39, Harry Dansey summarised his life’s work as:

"The education of Maori children and adults

The preservation of Maoritanga, in particular the language

The welfare of his people, particularly those in trouble and need

The interpretation of the Maori to the Pakeha

The encouragement of healthy sporting activity

The application of Christian principles to the work of life"

(Te Ao Hou, v.53 pp6-8, 1965)

Also known as John or Johnny, Waititi was born to Kirimatao and Te Kuaha Waititi in 1926 at Whangaparaoa, near Cape Runaway in the Bay of Plenty, a location that features in these papers. Through his parents, Waititi was connected to Ngati Awa and Te Whanau-a-Apanui’s tribal groups of Te Whanau-a-Te Ehutu, Te Whanau-a-Pararaki and Te Whanau-a-Kahu. Raised in a Maori-speaking family, he was schooled at Whangaparaoa School, St Stephen’s School, and Te Aute College. He also studied Maori extramurally through Victoria University College in 1943.

During World War II, Waititi trained with the Royal New Zealand Air Force, although he was two years younger than the 19 years declared when he signed on. In the following year, 1945, Waititi transferred to the army and went to Italy with the Maori Battalion. He then served in Japan with Jayforce before discharge in late 1946.

Waititi undertook teacher-training at Auckland Teachers’ College during 1947-1948 and went on to complete a BA at Auckland University College. Throughout his career, he taught at Te Kaha Maori District High School, Nuhaka Maori School, St Stephen’s School, Queen Victoria School for Maori Girls, and Auckland Girls’ Grammar. He also lectured at Ardmore Teachers’ Training College, Palmerston North Teachers’ College, the University of Auckland’s adult education centre (now Centre for Continuing Education), and Mt Eden Prison.

Maori language and history were key focusses of Waititi’s teaching and lecturing, and led to roles at a national level with the Department of Education. Importantly, he also authored the Maori language-teaching texts, Te rangatahi 1 and 2, which have been reprinted and revised, with the posthumous addition of 3, which is a re-organisation of 1 and 2. These textbooks proved popular and suitable for Maori-language learners at a range of levels. As for other publication, Waititi’s ‘The Story of Tamahae’ was published in 1957 in Historical review. In addition, it is possible that he authored ‘He Korero mo Tamahae’, published posthumously in 1970 in Te Wharekura 17; the author name is ‘Te Whanau-a-Apanui’, the same author name attached to the typescript story, ‘Whangaparaoa’ in Item 8. That edition of Te Wharekura indicated that other stories of Tamahae might follow. However, that does not seem to have eventuated.

Hoani Waititi died of bone cancer in September, 1965, and was buried near Cape Runaway. Since his death, his fields of contribution have been acknowledged in various ways. With the support of the New Zealand Maori Council and the Maori Women’s Welfare League, the John Waititi Memorial Scholarship was established and the St Stephen’s School Old Boys’ Association instigated a John Waititi Memorial Trophy. Fittingly, both recognise educational achievement. More recently, his name was given to the Hoani Waititi Marae in Waitakere City, Auckland, when it opened in 1980, along with its Kura Kaupapa Maori and Kohanga Reo facilities.