Awatere Arapeta 1910 1943 Ngati Porou Gisborne Nz

edmondsallan - Good morning - Today I thought we might make the effort to get a mental picture of a cross section of the people in our beautiful Homeland , known as New Zealand . Many of their names have been here a long time . Many have done their best to to fit in to our way of life. Many have descendants today who are leaders or were leaders in our community. One or two went down the wrong road after examplary behaviour ,when something was just to much to take . Let's browse the result of this research .

Awatere, Arapeta Marukitepua Pitapitanuiarangi
Ngati Porou and Ngati Hine; interpreter, military leader, Maori welfare officer, local politician, convicted murderer

Arapeta Marukitepua Pitapitanuiarangi Awatere (whose name is also recorded as Te Arapeta Pitameirangi Marukitepua Awatere) was born on 25 April 1910 at Tuparoa, on the East Coast, to Petuere Wi Hekopa Awatere, a farmer of Te Whanau-a-Hinetapora hapu of Ngati Porou, and his wife, Heni Hautao, also known as Heni Pratt (Parata). The family name was taken from the Awatere River, where Arapeta’s great-grandfather, Te Whetukamokamo, had died in battle against a Nga Puhi force. Later, Ngati Hine of Nga Puhi sent young rangatira women and men to intermarry with Ngati Porou to ensure a lasting peace. Awatere’s maternal grandfather, Wiremu Parata Moihi Ka of Ngati Hine, was accepted into Ngati Porou in the same spirit of reconciliation.

While Arapeta was still an infant his mother took him by boat to Whangaruru to her marae, Pipiwai, to be raised by a relative, Heni Maahanga. As they were being transported to shore, waves swamped the rowing boat. The sleeping infant’s head was submerged several times, but he did not wake up. This was interpreted as a sign that he would one day play an important role for his people. Awatere’s pito (umbilical cord) was buried in the wahi tapu (sacred ground) in front of the hall on the marae: it was symbolic of the return of a long lost family to the north.

Awatere returned to the East Coast at the age of six and spent the rest of his childhood under the guidance and tuition of his Ngati Porou relations. He learned Maori lore from respected tohunga, including Pineamine Tamahori. At the whare wananga (houses of learning) Umuariki and Ruataupare at Tuparoa, Awatere was trained in karakia, whaikorero (oratory) and whakapapa, and the history and use of ancient weapons. He won the taiaha Tuwhakairiora for his prowess with weaponry. When he attended the native schools at Tuparoa and Tokomaru Bay it always struck him as odd that pupils were not allowed to speak Maori. He eventually spoke fluently in many languages and could quote poetry in Latin, Greek and English.

After Awatere’s parents died he left Tuparoa to work as a sailor to pay his way at high school. He attended Te Aute College in Hawke’s Bay, and during school holidays went back to the ships to earn money. He passed the interpreters’ first grade examination in Maori in 1925. After leaving school he joined the Native Department in 1928 and was stationed at Rotorua, Wellington and, from 1933, Gisborne. While there he was a member of the Kaiti School Committee, organiser and secretary of the Maori Voluntary Welfare Workers at Kaiti and a physical instructor at the Gisborne YMCA. Awatere married Elsie Bella Rogers of Ngati Whakaue at Ohinemutu on 17 January 1931; they were to have five daughters.

In 1928 he joined the New Zealand Territorial Force and studied the great figures of European military history. Awatere was successfully to combine the Maori and European military traditions during the Second World War. He enlisted in November 1939, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in March 1940. Posted to the 28th New Zealand (Maori) Battalion after the campaigns in Greece and Crete, he served as an intelligence officer with the battalion and with the 6th New Zealand Infantry Brigade. With rank of captain (temporary major), he commanded C Company in the fighting at Tebaga Gap in 1943 and was awarded the Military Cross. Promoted to lieutenant colonel, he was placed in command of the Maori Battalion in November and awarded the DSO after the fighting at Faenza in northern Italy in December.
" Awatere " was certainly a great warrior & leader , and it was said , the men he commanded would follow him into the gates of hell it's self . Till we meet again - Regards - edmondsallan