Tribute to Pirimi Tahiwi.
Action song: 'Te ope tuatahi' sung by the Pūtiki Anglican Māori Club.
Tributes are paid to the late Captain Pirimi Tāhiwi who passed away suddenly at the age of seventy-eight. He came from an illustrious family of orators, choristers, musicians and sportsmen.
During his tangi at Ōtaki eulogies in the finest Māori tradition were given in his honour. Speakers include Te Oūenuku Rene, tāngata whenua, chief of the Ngāti Raukawa tribe and Canon Hohepa Tāepa of the Wellington Māori Pastorate. Mourners came from as far away as Dargaville.
Unidentified Ngāpuhi speaker.
Te Oūenuku Rene replies.
Captain Tāhiwi gained his rank in the First World War when he served in Egypt, Gallipoli, France and Belgium and on the island of Malta. He was severely wounded in Gallipoli and not expected to live but returned to New Zealand and was a representative tennis and golf player. He excelled in football and was selected as a Māori All Black in 1913. Four years ago he and his wife returned to Gallipoli on an Anzac pilgrimage and placed a mere on the memorial at Anzac Cove. Captain Tahiwi was best known as a teacher of the Māori language and culture.
The Tahiwi family adapted the tune of a Cook Island hymn into the now famous chant 'Karu karu'.
Waiata: Karu, karu.
Captain Tahiwi served as a captain in the Second World War and then worked as a teacher. He was educated at Te Aute College and Wellington Teachers' College. His brother Kingi Tāhiwi founded the Ngāti Pōneke Māori Club and Pirimi was the club's tribal chairman for many years. A song popularised by the Tāhiwis was 'He puru taitama'.
Waiata: He puru taitama
Captain Tahiwi was noted for his church and welfare activities amongst his people. Several years ago he spoke to Ted Nepia about his life. Pirimi Tāhiwi speaks with Ted Nepia about his whānau.