Inia Te Wiata

Inia Morehu Tauhia Watene Iarahi Waihurihia Te Wiata (10 June 191526 June 1971) was a New Zealand Māori bass-baritone opera singer, film actor, kaiwhakairo (carver) and artist.

Early life Inia Te Wiata was born in Ōtaki, New Zealand, into the Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga iwi. His father, Watene Te Wiata, died in the 1918 influenza epidemic. His mother, Constance Helena Johnson, remarried soon afterwards, and Inia was brought up by Pairoroku and Rakate Rikihana, relatives of his father.

Early career Te Wiata developed an interest in singing and first performed on stage at the age of seven. He attended the Ōtaki state school and was taught music by Miss Edith Miller. After primary school, he attended Ōtaki Māori College, and at the age of 13 his voice broke and settled into a bass-baritone. Soon after, he joined his cousin's quartet, which included Wi Nicholls, Henry Tahiwi, and Dan Rikihana. Other family members encouraged Te Wiata in his singing, particularly Mrs Mihi Taylor, a member of the Rikihana family, who taught both Te Wiata and his cousin to sing duets.

Te Wiata moved to Tūrangawaewae at Ngāruawāhia in the Waikato region to pursue an interest in Māori carving, whakairo. He was taught by Piri Poutapu, He was employed for three years assisting with the carving of the mantelpiece of Turongo, Te Wiata remained extremely fond of New Zealand and talked of returning there on his retirement. He maintained close links with New Zealand House in London, attending and singing at the opening of the House in 1963 and also working in the basement of New Zealand House on carving projects.

Death

Te Waita died of pancreatic cancer on 26 June 1971 in London. He was cremated and his ashes were returned to New Zealand. His tangi was held on Raukawa Marae, Ōtaki, and the event was photographed by the New Zealand photographer Ans Westra. His ashes were then scattered in the cemetery at Rangiātea Church, Ōtaki.

Te Wiata's archive of papers is held by the National Library of New Zealand.

In November 2007, a commemorative CD/DVD was published containing previously unreleased recordings as well as a documentary film of his carving and an interview with Spike Milligan.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes1954 The Seekers Hongi Tepe 1955 Man of the Moment King of Tawaki 1956 Pacific Destiny Tauvela 1960 Sands of the Desert Fahid 1962 In Search of the Castaways Maori Chief 1966 Sergeant Cork Chief Tama TV series - The Case of the Simple Savage

Selected discography Waiata Maori, A Festival of Maori Song (1966)

Notes and sources

"Inia Te Waita" by Ziska Schwimmer; Te Ao Hou – The New World; No 23, July 1958