Hoani Waititi

Hoani Retimana Waititi (12 April 1926 – 30 September 1965) was a notable New Zealand teacher, educationalist and community leader. Of Māori descent, he identified with the Te Whānau-ā-Apanui iwi. He was born in Whangaparaoa near Cape Runaway, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, in 1926. His father was Kūaha Waititi, a farmer, and his mother was Kirimātao Heremia Kerei, both of them of the Te Whānau-a-Kauaetangohia hapū of Te Whānau-ā-Apanui. He trained as a teacher in 1947–48 and gained a BA at in 1955. He worked as a teacher and in other areas of education. He died of cancer at the age of 39. Hoani Waititi Marae in West Auckland is named in his honour. June Mariu is his niece, the daughter of his older brother Manihera. Rawiri Waititi is his great-nephew.