Rawiri Waititi

Birth Name: Rawiri Wikuki Waititi

Place of Birth: Ōpōtiki, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

Date of Birth: c. 1981

Ethnicity: Māori, as well as one eighth English

Rawiri Waititi is New Zealand politician and activist. He has been Co-leader of Te Pāti Māori, the Māori Party, alongside Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, since 28 October, 2020. He was preceded by his father-in-law John Tamihere. Rawiri was previously affiliated with the Labour Party, from 2014 to 2016, and has been a Member of Parliament, since 17 October, 2020. He is also a Ringatū minister.

Rawiri is the son of Florence Taitua and Winston Waititi. He has five children with his wife Kiri Tamihere, who is the daughter of politician, lawyer, and radio host John Tamihere. Rawiri 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.

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