Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Tahapu Whaitiri (possibly known as Jimmy) was born on 25 October 1892 at Moeraki, believed to be the son of Te Marama Henare Whaitiri (also known as Tahatu Temarama Whaitiri) and Tiriana Eraia Koreke. T. Whaitiri was a member of the Maori team, No 1, which entered the Tug-of-War competition at Temuka in May 1908. Was this Tahatu? By both the 1914 and 1919 electoral rolls, Tahatu was a fisherman at Ruapuke. Taihatu Waitiri [sic], Chatham Islands, fisherman, was called up and registered in Christchurch on 13 September 1916. A fisherman with the Chatham Island Fishing Company, he enlisted on 19 September 1916 at Narrow Neck Camp, Auckland. Single and of Church of England affiliation, he named a cousin as next-of-kin – Teaare Whaitiri, Chatham Islands, New Zealand. Private T. Whaitiri embarked with the Maori Contingent of the 12th Reinforcements, leaving per the “Opawa” on 2 January 1917 and disembarking in London England on 27 March.

“Mrs E. Rivers, of Temuka, received a letter from her brother, Private T. Waitairi, yesterday, saying that he had been transferred to No. 2 Pioneer Brigade, and was leaving for France. Private T. Whaitiri left with the l2th Maori Contingent.” [Timaru herald, 30 June 1917.] Edward Rivers, of Temuka, a labourer with two children, was listed on the Reserve Rolls. In July 1917 two children came to Temuka School – Ellen Mantell who was born in 1904 and Accessor James Rivers who was born in 1910. The former had previously been at Maheno, Moeraki and Morven schools. The latter left for the Native School at Temuka two months later. 19464 Private T. Whaitiri returned home by the Cordoba’s draft which was expected at Lyttelton on 30 August 1919. He was discharged on 30 October 1919, on the termination of his period of engagement, and awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for his service in Western Europe.

T. Whaitiri was one of the native boys who were presented with an illuminated address at a social function at the Arowhenua Pa in May 1920 (after the last man had returned). The hall was beautifully decorated, and there was a large attendance. Mr Pitama (president of the Tuahiwi Patriotic Committee) and Mr Teaika (representing Mr W. H. Uru, member for the Southern Maori District) were present. Excellent music was provided, and there were songs, dancing and a dainty supper. “The Maoris of Arowhenua could well be proud of the fact they had given to the war as a volunteer every boy capable of bearing arms, and he understood it was the same at Kaiapoi,” said Mr T. Gunnion, the Mayor of Temuka. “These were records that the Maoris could justly be proud of.”

Was Tahatu the T. Whaitiri who was involved with the Milford Lagoon Association in January 1924, or a relative? Tahatu Whaitiri was a labourer employed in the ballast-train when, in June 1924, he witnessed an accident at Winslow near Ashburton in which a fellow employee was killed.

Tahatu Whaitiri died on 6 April 1946 at Bluff, aged 54 years. He was buried at Bluff Cemetery, his brother Henry Tehaeata with him in 1961 and sister-in-law Daisy Teresa Carmen (née Joss) in 1980. All the Arowhenua, Moeraki, and Bluff bearers of the Whaitiri name may be inter-related. Jackson Whaitiri who also served in World War One and Henry Tuuta Whaitiri who served in World War Two, dying in 1942 and buried at Arowhenua, were likely related to Tahatu.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [12 December 2023]; Temuka Leader, 23 May 1908, Lyttleton Times, 14 September 1916, Timaru Herald, 30 June 1917, 25 May 1920, NZ Times, 12 August 1919, Star, 12 August 1919, Temuka Leader, 22 May 1920, 3 January 1924, Press, 16 June 1924 (Papers Past) [05 & 13 December 2023]; Bluff Cemetery records [13 December 2023]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

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