John Tamihere

Birth Name: John Henry Tamihere

Place of Birth: Auckland, New Zealand

Date of Birth: 8 February, 1959

Ethnicity:
*father – Māori, as well as 1/16th English
*mother – Irish, Scottish

John Tamihere is a New Zealand politician, lawyer, political commentator, and radio co-host. He has been President of Te Pāti Māori (the Māori Party), since 8 June, 2022. He was previously a Cabinet minister for the Labour Party, from 2002 and 2004, and joined Te Pāti Māori Party in 2020 as co-leader.

John is the son of Ruby Elaine (McEwan/McEwen) and John Hamil Tamihere. His mother was of Irish and Scottish descent, and was raised in a Catholic family. John is affiliated to Whakatōhea and Ngāti Porou ki Hauraki. His brother is convicted murderer David Tamihere. Tamihere is married to Awerangi Durie, and has five children. His daughter Kiri Tamihere is married to Rawiri Waititi, who succeeded him as co-leader of Te Pāti Māori.

John’s paternal grandfather was Hekiera Tamihere (the son of The Rev. Aperahama Tataikoko Tamihere and Hoana Hineauta). Hekiera was born in East Cape, Auckland. The Rev. Aperahama was the son of Te Hira Tamihere and Rawinia Tohehau.

John’s paternal grandmother was Wikitoria Mareroa (the daughter of Henare Mareroa and Te Omerengi Hale). Henare was the son of Tamati Te Rerehorua and Horiana Rakerake Ingoakore. Te Omerengi was the daughter of Hekiera Hale and Hiria Reitapu. Hekiera was likely the son of William Frederick Hale, who emigrated with his parents from St Albans, England, and of Pe Whataaruhe, who was Māori of Ngāti Porou.

Sources: Genealogy of John Tamihere (focusing on his father’s side) – https://www.geni.com

Genealogy of the Hale family – https://www.familysearch.org