Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Tane Hopa, whose full name was Hare Tane Tiki Hopa-Paura and who was known as Dan, was born at Temuka on 11 June 1895 (or 11 July 1896). He was the son of Emma Lea Cosgrove (Cossgrove) formerly Hopa. He was, in fact, the son (probably the eldest son) of Hare (Henry, Harry) and Emma Lea (née Reynolds, later Cossgrove) Hopa. Hare and Emma, who had married about 1892-93, had six known sons and two daughters. Harry Hopa was in the Waimakariri district in 1891. The Otago Daily Times of 22 August 1906 reported: — Some time ago a Maori named Hare Hopa met with an accident while cutting wood whereby he lost the sight of an eye. In course of time his other eye gave way, and he became almost totally blind. A movement was set afoot in Tuahiwi to raise a fund to send him to a specialist at Dunedin, and eventually arrangements were made to have Hare Hopa admitted to the Dunedin Hospital for treatment. Hopa is now discharged, able to find his way about, and even to read. He was 105 days in hospital. Hare died on 8 October 1912 at Tuahiwi, Waimakariri, Canterbury, aged 63 years, and was buried at Tuahiwi. Hare and Emma lived at Temuka for many years until just before his death. It was in Apil 1911 and 1912 that the younger children were admitted to Tuawihi School. Emma married Osbert Lamond Cossgrove in 1914 and thereafter lived at Tuahiwi in the Waimakariri District.

Tane Hopa, Tuahiwi, registered in the Kaiapoi district in May 1916, one of the 43 fit men of 76 in the Kaiapoi Group. Medically examined at Kaiapoi on 19 May 1919, he stood at 5 feet 10 inches, weighed 173 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 34-38 inches, with a dark complexion, dark brown eyes and black hair. His sight, hearing, colour vision, heart and lungs were all normal, his limbs and chest well formed. He was free from illnesses and diseases, vaccinated, and in good bodily and mental health. Tane then enlisted on 24 May 1916 at Narrow Neck Camp, joining the 4th Maori Reinforcements as Private. He had served with the Railway Engineers. A labourer at Woodend, single and Anglican, he named his mother as next-of-kin – Mrs O. L. Cosgrove, Tuahiwi, Kaiapoi. Later his wife was to become his next-of-kin – Mrs C. Hopa, 31 High Street, Treerchy, South Wales, then 9 Kenton Street, Russell, London.

Appointed Lance Corporal on 16 June 1916 at Narrow Neck, he was promoted to Sergeant there on 16 August. Sergeant T. Hopa embarked with the Maori Contingent of the 7th Reinforcements, departing from Wellington per the “Aparima” on 19 August 1916. Disembarking at Devonport, England on 25 October, he marched into Sling, where he was to be Temporary Corporal. On 20 December 1916 T. Corporal Hopa marched out and was admitted to the 3rd New Zealand General Hospital at Codford with slight piles. He was discharged to the Command Depot at Codford on 4 January 1917, then transferred to the Isolation Section of No. 3 Hospital at Codford – scabies - on 20 January. Reporting from Codford Hospital on 5 February, he was taken on Strength, transferred to the Operating Section of the Light Railways. On 23 February 1917 Corporal Hopa proceeded overseas, having relinquished the appointment of Temporary Corporal; Sapper Hopa was, however, appointed Temporary 2nd Corporal two days later when he disembarked at Boulogne, France. Appointed Loco Driver with extra pay on 1 March 1917, he relinquished that appointment on 30 May.

In January 1918 he reverted to the rank of Sapper as a punishment for Neglect of Duty (failing to keep water in Loco Depot tank whilst in charge of same). He was still with his Unit at the end of January. Granted leave to the UK on 19 March 1918, he rejoined his unit on 8 April. After being detached to the 12th Light Railways Operating Corps on 28 April 1918, Sapper Hopa rejoined his Unit on 8 June. Sapper Hopa was detached to the Railway Operating Division of the Royal Engineers on 22 November 1918, rejoining his Unit from there on 3 January 1919. At the end of January, he went on leave to the UK. Detained there, he was to report at Sutton Coldfield, where he marched in on 26 February. Tane (Dan) Hopa had married Clarice Thomas on 17 February 1919 at Pontypridd, South Wales. He marched in at Torquay on 25 May 1919 and was still on the Strength of “C” Group on 9 July. He returned to New Zealand per the “Ionic”, embarking at Plymouth on 8 September 1919 and disembarking at Wellington on 25 October, when he was granted twenty-eight days’ leave. He was discharged on 23 November 1919, on the termination of his period of engagement. He gave 3 years and 186 days, most of that in Western Europe, and was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Dan Hopa made a brief appearance in the Christchurch Magistrate’s Court in early June 1921, charged with driving an unlighted vehicle and fined 20 shillings. At the Rangiora Magistrate’s Court in September 1922, a man claiming for damages to his sheep, said that defendant’s dog and another owned by T. Hopa had done the damage. He did not press the claim against Hopa owing to the latter’s poor circumstances. In July 1922, when a concert as held in aid of the Ashley Bank school funds, Dan Hopa would have been in the troupe of Maori performers from Tuahiwi whose items were all of a high order. He also contributed songs with two mates from Tuahiwi. The following month D. Hopa was one who contributed to the excellent musical and elocutionary programme at the Kaiapoi Working Men’s Club social evening. D. Hopa was one of the members of the Kaiapoi RSA who acted as pall-bearers at the funeral of a returned soldier at Tuahiwi. At the annual meeting of the U-Tu-Ahuriri Football Club (Tuahiwi) in March 1924, T. Hopa was elected to the selection committee. A very enjoyable concert in aid of St John’s Church was held in the Town Hall, Little River in November 1934, Mr T. Hopa giving a song. He again contributed items when the visiting Ellesmere team (football) was entertained by the Peninsula team at the Crown Hotel after their match in July 1936.

Mr Dan Hopa was performing in Wellington as of July 1929, giving solos when the Native Trust and Native Department held their annual entertainment in the Caledonian Hall. Dan Hopa (Maori baritone) gave songs again in July 1931 when a most successful concert was given at Ewart Hospital, the variety of entertainment thoroughly enjoyed by the patients and staff. At the De Luxe Theatre on Sunday evening, 25 September 1932, the R.N.V.R. Band was to give another of their popular recitals. The most attractive programme which was announced, would include a new Maori favourite, Mr. Dan Hopa, in some of his successes. “Painting the Clouds with Sunshine” – which suited his pleasant baritone voice, “Pokare Kare” and “Hoki Hoki”. Dan Hopa had a fine baritone voice and was a well-known and popular entertainer in Wellington. In April 1933, as a member of a concert party from the D.I.C. which gave an hour and a half of pleasure to the patients in the men’s part of Victoria Ward at the General Hospital, he gave humorous songs. In September he gave items at the annual smoke concert of the Wellington Football Club, and when, at an enthusiastic gathering of “Diggers”at the Wellington Returned Soldiers’ Association, a social club, to be known as the “Tin Hat” Club, was formed. In November it was at the returned soldiers’ armistice night concert in the Wellington Town Hall that he performed – “Maori melodies are always appreciated, and Dan Hopa, of the Pioneer Battalion, proved very popular with several of these.”

Plenty of variety was provided by the 2ZW Radio Army at the Town Hall on 13 February 1934 during its concert in aid of the Mayor’s fund for the relief of distress. Mr Dan Hopa gave two Maori songs which, as usual, were extremely popular. He was much in demand at all sorts of gatherings and was very generous in his offerings. At the seventh Sunday concert under the auspices of the Wellington City Council, in September 1936, Dan Hopa, the well-known Maori baritone, sang “Waiata Poi”, “Million Dollar Doll”, “Pokarekare”, and “The Desert Song”. At the beginning of October 1937, he contributed items at the last korero of the Wellington Orphans’ Club’s season. Failing to negotiate a lefthand bend after crossing the Korokoro bridge on 22 October 1938 at 6.15 p.m., a car driven by Mr. Daniel Hopa, a tally clerk on the Wellington waterfront, residing at Pinehaven, Silverstream, ran down a steep bank and overturned, crushing a passenger, Miss Katherine Logan, aged 44, and causing her instant death through a fractured skull. Mr. Hopa was not injured. He had had a few drinks but was not intoxicated, and at the inquest he gave his evidence quite fairly and clearly. The charge of negligent driving was dismissed but a fine of one shilling was imposed on a charge of driving without due care and attention. D. Hopa’s contributions of fine musical items continued. In late February 1939 it was at a smoke concert to celebrate the golden jubilee of the Royal Arch Chapter (Druids). On 29 October 1939 he sang for the 4YA radio programme, and also on subsequent weekends. Songs by Digger Dan Hopa proved very popular at the monthly korero of the Tin Hat Club in November 1939. Throughout January 1940, a number of midday community sings and recruiting rallies in the Town Hall were arranged by the No. 5 Area (Wellington and Hutt Valley) Recruiting Committee. One of the guest artists who contributed to the programme was Dan Hopa as a soloist or a member of “The Mirthquakes” pierrot company.

At the annual reunion of the Anzac Mounted Division Association in July 1940, when old comrades-in-arms renewed friendships begun during the Great War, Mr. D. Hopa’s singing of the Maori Battalion marching song, “Maori Battalion March to Victory”, was an outstanding event of the evening. In February 1941, the executive committee of the Official Camp Entertainers arranged another excellent entertainment for the men in camp, the Y.M.C.A. Theatre being full. Mr. Dan Hopa sang well-known Maori songs, and at the request of his audience sang the Maori Battalion song. And in December 1941 he was one to entertain at the Mount Crawford gaol. He contributed to other entertainments throughout the war years. The 1950 Anzac night concert raised £200 which would benefit the war graves funds of the Wellington RSA, Dan Hopa contributing to a bright musical interlude. The efforts of Dan and others were repeated at the 1951 Anzac night concert. On 10 September 1952 at one of the best variety concerts given by the Boys’ Institute Silver Band in aid of their instrument fund to be presented on a Wellington stage for many years - given by the Boys’ Institute Silver Band in aid of their instrument fund, Dan Hopa presented Maori melodies. At Thorndon’s annual “mayoral” contest in aid of Wellington’s blind children in October 1952, Dan Hopa, a waterside worker and the first Maori candidate to stand, who advocates music while you work, was standing as a mayoral candidate. While Mr. Dan Hopa, for the waterfront workers, polled £351/11/7, he did not win. As late as December 1952, Dan Hopa was still entertaining.

On 11 December 1939 in the Supreme Court, Tane Hopa had been granted a decree nisi, on the grounds of adultery, against Clarice Hopa. Clarice Lavina Hopa married Oscar Peter Olsen in 1940 (Ollie Olsen was implicated in the divorce). It seems this marriage didn’t last. Clarice was in New Zealand until 1960; nothing more is known of her. Clarice Lavinia Hopa had been at Tuahiwi in 1922, then moving to Wellington, probably with Tane. Tanetiki Hopa-Paura married Rose Pohio in 1940. Tane was in Molesworth Street, Wellington in 1949. Sometime after his death Rosa moved to Hawke’s Bay then in 1978 to Whangarei. Hare Tane Tiki Hopa-Paura (Dan) died on 17 February 1953 at Wellington, of Porirua, aged 57 years. He was the dearly beloved husband of Rosa and the loved father of Monty and Ranui. Following a funeral service at his Porirua home, he was buried at the Karori Cemetery. Predeceased by his father, Hare Hopa-Paura, he was also survived by his mother, Mrs E. Cosgrove (Southbridge), and his brothers, Kitchener (Christchurch) and Webb (Timaru). Rosa Hopa died on 24 December 1980, aged 70 yrs and was buried at Maunu Cemetery, Whangarei. Tane’s burial record gives his occupation as clerk.

“Mr. Tane (Dan) Hopa, who died in Wellington yesterday, will be missed by a wide circle of friends in returned soldiers’ and musical circles. Mr. Hopa, who was a resident of Porirua, was well known over the years as a popular entertainer in Wellington, being the possessor of a fine baritone voice. A veteran of the First World War, Mr. Hopa was closely identified with the Tin Hat Club, and was always willing to make his services available for any good cause. A South Islander, he belonged to the Ngai Tahu tribe. His widow, Mrs. Rosa Hopa, is a member of the well-known Pohio family, of Hawke’s Bay; they have two children, Monty and Ranui. Though Mr. Hopa had been in indifferent health for some time, his death came as a shock to his friends.” Evening Post. 19 February 1953.] Tane’s brother Murphy Hopa also served in World War One, dying in 1921 in New Zealand as a result of his war service. A younger brother, Arthur Kitchener Hopa, served in World War Two; also, possibly Lawrence Weepu Hopa. Mrs Emma Cossgrove who died at Southbridge in September 1956, excelled in Maori arts and crafts and earned a considerable amount for the Patriotic Society and the Red Cross Society by weaving flax fibre handbags, tea cosies, table mats, and other articles. She was survived by two sons of her first marriage (Arthur Kitchener Hopa, known as Kitchener, and Lawrence Weepu Hopa, known as Webb) and a daughter of the second. Her two daughters of her first marriage (Rachael and Martha) who had died in 1938 and 1920 were buried with their father at Tuahiwi. She was also predeceased by four sons – Tane Hopa (1953), Solomus Hopa, Murphy Hopa (1921) and Frank Hopa (1940), and one daughter Bertha (Cossgrove) Kaan.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [27 June 2014]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ ref. AABK 18805 W5541 0056477) [27 June 2014]; Te Ao Hou (The New World) - The Maori Affairs Department, Autumn 1953; Karori Cemetery Burial record (Wellington City Council) [28 June 2014]; Temuka Leader, 4 & 18 January 1906, 22 February 1906, Otago Daily Times, 22 August 1906, Press, 27 May 1916, 19 September 1922, 25 September 1919, 25 July 1922, 26 August 1922, 6 April 1923, 14 November 1934, 19 February 1953, 25 September 1956, 3 October 1956, Star, 6 June 1921, 18 September 1922, Evening Post, 23 July 1929, 13 July 1931, 24 & 26 September 1932, 22 April 1933, 7 September 1933, 9 & 13 November 1933, 14 February 1934, 26 April 1936, 4 October 1937, 24 & 28 October 1938, 2 & 28 February 1939, 28 October 1939, 16 November 1939, 12 December 1939, 6 January 1940, 12 March 1940, 12 July 1940, 21 February 1941, 16 December 1941, 28 April 1950, 27 April 1951, 11 September 1952, 10 October 1952, 24 November 1952, 18 & 19 February 1953, Akaroa Mail, 7 July 1936 (Papers Past) [27 & 30 June 2014; 26 September 2015; 20 October 2015; 06 April 2022; 22 October 2022; 29 & 30 June 2026]; Wales Marriage registration (Free BMD]; NZ BDM Indexes; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [28 June 2014; 30 June 2026]; (http://teaohou.natlib.govt.nz/journals/teaohou/issue/Mao04TeA/full.html) [28 June 2014]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• HOPA Murphy & Tane - newspaper clippings (pdf, 116.7 KB updated 16-Jul-2026)

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC Genealogy Society

Currently Assigned to

TS