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Back to newsChampionship winning coach and former race relations minister Hiwi Tauroa dies at age 91
The Counties Manukau rugby community takes this opportunity to send its condolences to the Tauroa family and to thank and remember Hiwi for all that he has done for our region.
Hiwi Tauroa a man who packed a lot into his 91 years and touched the lives of many not just within his own community but also the country and around the globe passed away yesterday.
He leaves behind a committed wife of 60 years, six children, 16 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
He was Race Relations Commissioner during the Springbok Tour of '81 and was instrumental in the anti-apartheid campaign and supporting marches through the streets of Auckland.
He was principal at Auckland's Wesley College from 1968 to 1974 and Tuakau College from 1974 to 1979.
Just over a week ago Tauroa and his wh�nau attended the open day for Paerata Rise - the urban development between Karaka and Pukekohe - to unveil the sign for the street named after him - Hiwi Tauroa Rd.
Paerata Rise held a special significance to Tauroa as that is where Wesley College has been relocated.
Tauroa was also a M�ori All Black from 1951 to 1954, and later coached the 1979 Counties NPC Championship team. His love for rugby continued throughout the years and he travelled often to watch his beloved Counties play.
After serving as Race Relations Commissioner from 1979 to 1985, Tauroa moved to his hauk�inga (home), Kaeo, and was appointed chair of Te Rūnanga o Whaingaroa.
A visionary for M�ori-China relations, he established the NZ China M�ori Friendship Association in 1984 at the bequest of Rewi Alley and cultivated many iwi and M�ori organisations' relationships with Chinese businesses based on tikanga and whanaungatanga; the M�ori process and principles to develop mutually beneficial relationships.
He also served as chairman of Te M�ngai Paho and the NZ Sports Foundation, and was a former Board Member on the Massey University Council, the NZ Council for Educational Research, the NZ Principals Association, the United Nations Indigenous Peoples Trust Board and the Te Tai Tokerau M�ori Trust Board.
Tauroa will be taken to Te P�tūnga Marae in Whangaroa on Wednesday at 11am. Funeral arrangements are to be confirmed.
