Henare James Clendon Tau 1963 1989

edmondsallan - hello - Some of you may think that we have printed to many journals on this public figure . I don't think like that . Just as we have tremendous pride in our children ( mokapunas )why not in one of our family ancestors. Besides that lets make sure that everyone understands how proud we are to be a " KIWI ". and we can be as great as any one else in any other country . How often I have heard from foreigners , " You come from New Zealand - where about's is that Buddy ???? " Most of us just walk away . Next time let's get at it and say with pride , " You should know where it is ??? It's got the best people & country in the world- Mate !!!!! " .
" Henare " had attended the first Young Maori Conference in Auckland in 1939. He succeeded his father as a member of the Waitangi National Trust Board in 1940 and was organising secretary of the Waitangi centennial celebrations that year. He also played a prominent role during the royal tours of 1953–54 and 1963. Locally, he served on the Motatau Maori committee, the Motatau, Waiomio and Otiria marae trusts, the Kawakawa Tribal Executive and Tai Tokerau district Maori committee. A strong supporter of education, he served on various bodies including an education board advisory committee and a national advisory committee on Maori education.
By advancing the causes of his people, James Henare raised the country’s consciousness of Maori perspectives. He was chief national spokesperson of the Wananga Kaumatua Maori and represented Tai Tokerau at a range of hui. He represented New Zealand at the unveiling of the Cassino war memorial in 1956 and at Waitangi Day celebrations at the Polynesian Cultural Centre in Hawaii in 1980. In 1984 he was chief orator at the opening of Te Maori exhibition in New York. A member of the Rehabilitation Board, the New Zealand Geographic Board, the Board of Maori Affairs, the Bay of Islands County Council, Tai Tokerau Maori Trust Board and the Bay of Islands Maritime and Historic Park Board, he was also active in the Order of St John, the RSA, Rotary and Federated Farmers of New Zealand.
Henare’s mana and patience were illustrated by his talks with activist Eva Rickard and her supporters at Waitangi in 1984, and by his 1988 diplomacy over the renaming of Hongi’s Track at Rotoiti. His adherence to his father’s desire for service to his people was exemplified by his refusal of an overseas posting as a high commissioner. His dedication was recognised when he was made a CBE in 1966 and a KBE in 1978. He also received Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation Medal (1953) and Silver Jubilee Medal (1977), and an honorary LLD from the University of Auckland (1986). In the 1980s he was tipped to become New Zealand’s first Maori governor general, an honour which was instead bestowed on Sir Paul Reeves.
James and Rose Henare had six children, and adopted five more. Rose provided over 50 years of support for her husband, and her commitment to Maori initiatives was reflected in her patronage of the kohanga reo movement. James Henare’s work has been carried on by his children, nephews and nieces, who have embraced the concepts of service and striving for social equity in law, education and public service. Perhaps his most lasting contribution was his role in helping to found the kohanga reo programme to teach the Maori language to pre-school children. His skilled advocacy and chairmanship of the Wananga Whakatauira’s Maori-language group were crucial in establishing the movement.
Sir James Henare died at Kawakawa on 2 April 1989, survived by his wife and children. His tangihanga at Otiria marae, Moerewa, was attended by the Maori Queen, the governor general, the prime minister and former war comrades. He was buried at Motatau with full military honours. I can only admire such a person and what he achieved . I certainly will be proud to have him in the , our ' Personal Family Books & Records ' to be handed on one day . Till we meet again -Regards -edmondsallan