Hiwi Tauroa dies

Former Ma¯ori All Black Hiwi Tauroa has died aged 91. Edward Te Rangihiwinui Tauroa, better known as Hiwi, pictured, died on Tuesday surrounded by his wha¯nau. Tauroa, who lived in Hokianga, was race relations commissioner during the Springbok Tour of

1981 and was instrumental in the antiapartheid campaign. He was principal at two Franklin schools over his education career – Wesley

College, in Paerata, from

1968 to 1974 and Tuakau

College from 1974 to 1979

– and was the first Ma¯ori to be appointed head of a secondary school. His last public outing was for the

Paerata Rise opening on

December 1, where a street has been named after him – Hiwi Tauroa Rd – to commemorate his instrumental role with the neighbouring school, Wesley College. Tauroa was a Ma¯ori All Black from 1951 to 1954, and later coached the

1979 Counties NPC Championship team. After serving as Race Relations Commissioner from

1979 to 1985, Tauroa was appointed chair of Te Ru¯ nanga o Whaingaroa. He established the New Zealand China Ma¯ori Friendship Association in 1984 and cultivated iwi and Ma¯ori organisations’ relationships with Chinese businesses. Tauroa leaves behind his wife of 60 years, six children, 16 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.