Hiwi Tauroa

Edward Te Rangihiwinui Tauroa (29 May 1927 – 11 December 2018), known as Hiwi Tauroa, was a New Zealand rugby union player and coach, school principal, and civil servant of Māori descent.

Early life Tauroa, who was of Ngāpuhi descent, was born in Okaiawa, near Hāwera in Taranaki in 1927, the son of a Methodist minister. His parents moved frequently, and Tauroa began his school life at Waima in the Hokianga. From there he went to Hawera Technical High School, where he won a scholarship to study at Massey University College. before beginning papers for a Diploma in Education. After graduating he taught at various schools throughout the North Island. Selected while at Massey Agricultural College, Tauroa toured Australia with the NZ Universities team in 1951 coached by Ron Bush, an uncle of photographer Peter Bush. The team had two wins against an Australian Universities side as well as winning their six minor fixtures. Tauroa continued his interest in rugby in later life, becoming coach of the Counties Rugby Union in the 1970s,

Public and political life In 1979, Tauroa was appointed New Zealand's Race Relations Conciliator. At the general election he was unsuccessful in winning the seat.

Tauroa also served as chairman of Te Māngai Pāho and the New Zealand Sports Foundation, and served on the board of many educational and Māori organisations, among them the United Nations Indigenous Peoples Trust.

Death Tauroa died on 11 December 2018 at his home in Waipuna, Whangaroa, aged 91. He was survived by Patricia (née Wilson), his wife of 60 years, and their six children, along with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.