Cyclist who loved a challenge
A Manawatu¯ man who died while competing in the Lake Taupo¯ Cycle Challenge has been remembered as a positive man whose biggest commitment was to his family.
Rewi Tipene, 58, died on November 24 after suffering a heart attack on the Waihaha Hill during the cycling challenge.
Wife Dianne Tipene said they had been married for almost 35 years and had been together since they were 16 years old.
She said Rewi had packed a lot of living into his life, competing in the Lake Taupo¯ Cycle Challenge 13 times, Iron Ma¯ ori about nine times and playing rugby for Kia Toa since 1983.
‘‘He was never the first person in, but he was determined.’’
He grew up in Pahı¯atua, before shifting to Palmerston North after finishing school.
Dianne said he had contributed to many committees, serving on Kia Toa’s for the past 10 years, as well as business groups and multiple committees for farms, including Aohanga Station and Makaramu Farm.
He was also the co-chairman for the Pahı¯atua marae and was recently made a life member.
‘‘It’s like his soul kind of knew, it was predestined he didn’t have a long time, so he was going to grab as much as he could.
‘‘He enjoyed everything to the fullest, he always took the positive from any situation,’’ she said.
Even though he took a lot on, Dianne said his biggest commitment was to his family.
Together they had three children – Moana, Apiata and Rehutai – and they had partners Darcey, Pashyn and Jah, as well as three grandchildren.
Rewi was passionate about their children’s education, enrolling them in Ma¯ ori immersion education, with Rewi taking on the role as treasurer at Te Awhina Ko¯ hanga Reo.
‘‘He was one of those parents that, whenever we would go to parentteacher interviews he would sit there and go, ‘How are they doing, what can we do to help?’
‘‘They have done very well academically, so he was absolutely proud of them.’’
He was on the board of trustees at Freyberg High School in Palmerston North and took pride in the success of Te Piringa – a combined Manawatu¯ kapa haka group – who won the national secondary schools tournament in 2009.
He also performed with Te Wha¯ nau o te Kura at the Te Matatini national kapa haka competition with his daughter Moana.
Dianne said the family were doing well after his death as they had received so much support.
‘‘It was support, support the whole way through, everything was covered on the marae and we appreciated the people who came through to offer their sympathy and share our grief. ‘‘That really helped us.’’ Since he passed, she said they were still been aware of his presence, which was comforting.
‘‘It’s like his soul kind of knew, it was predestined he didn’t have a long time, so he was going to grab as much as he could.’’ Dianne Tipene
‘‘Wha¯ ia te iti kahurangi ki te tu¯ ohu koe, me he maunga teitei.
‘‘E kore koe e warewaretia, moe mai ra¯ .’’