Profile Text
Birth Name: Rawiri Wikuki Waititi
Place of Birth: Ōpōtiki, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
Date of Birth: c. 17 October, 1980/81
Ethnicity: Māori, as well as one eighth English
Rawiri Waititi is New Zealand politician, activist, and iwi leader. He has been Co-leader of Te Pāti Māori, the Māori Party, since 28 October, 2020; as well as, a Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Waiariki, since 17 October, 2020. He was preceded as Co-leader by his father-in-law John Tamihere . Rawiri was previously affiliated with the Labour Party, from 2014 to 2016. He is also a Ringatū minister.
Rawiri is the son of Florence Taitua and Winston Waititi. He is of Te Whānau a Apanui, Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Awa, Te Arawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāi Tai, Te Whakatōhea, Ngāi Te Rangi, and Ngāti Ranginui iwi. Through his father, Rawiri is the nephew of Dame June Mariu (née Waititi), a great-nephew of teacher, educationalist, and community leader Hoani Waititi, a third cousin, once removed, of director and actor Taika Waititi ; and a relative of musician Rob Ruha, netball player Kahurangi Waititi, and film director and producer Tweedie Waititi. He went to kōhanga reo and Te Kura Mana Māori o Whangaparāoa, and moved to West Auckland when he was thirteen.
He has five children with his wife Kiri Tamihere, who is the daughter of politician, lawyer, and radio host John Tamihere.
Rawiri’s paternal grandfather was Manihera Waititi (the son of Kūaha Te Manihera Waititi and Kirimatao Heremia Kerei). Kūaha was the son of Te Manihera Waititi and Te Paora/Topeora Awhimate Rewharewha. Kirimatao was the daughter of Hoani Kerei and Te Kerehi Heremia.
Rawiri’s paternal grandmother was Dorothy Tihore (the daughter of Matehaere Patihana Tihore and Alice Ann Gill). Alice emigrated from Kettlewell, in England, to New Zealand in 1909, and was the daughter of Henry Gill and Ann.
Source: Genealogies of Rawiri’s paternal grandparents, Manihera Waititi and Dorothy Tihore – https://www.geni.com