Henry Hairuha Pari

Moumou tangata ki te po.

Ko Mataatua te Waka

Ko Toroa te Tangata

Ko Maunga Pohatu te Maunga

Ko Tauranga te Awa

Ko Tuhoe te Iwi

Ko whakatane te Hapu

Ko Whakarae te Marae

I te taha o tona whaene

Ko Tuhoe, Ngati awa, Te arawa raua ko Rangitihi nga Iwi

Ko Mahurehure te Hapu

Ko Te Rewarewa te Marae

Ko Patrick Te Ahuru Pari tona Pāpā

Ko Emma Waimarino Karora tona Māmā

Ko Henry Hairuha Pari te tangata o tenei Pae Tukutuku.

Hairuha was born in Whakatane on 30 June 1957.

Hairuha is the 6th of 14 children.

He lived in the Uruwera as a child until his whānau moved to Rotorua where the family home was brought in Corlet St.

Hairuha lived there until he was 16 years old then he left for Tasmania on a 2 week holiday and returned back to Rotorua 7 years later.

At the age 23 he met his wife Mereana Te Patu of Ngati Rangi, Te Atihaunui-ā-paparangi, Taranaki and Ngāti Kahungunu descent.

Hairuha began his working life in Whanganui as a hospital orderly then later moved into the Mental Health sector as Coordinator and then taught Kapahaka at Stanford House.

Hairuha then moved on to become the Activities Officer at Delta and then Te Oranganui.

Hairuha went on to teach Te Reo Māori for Tupoho and most recently with Rapu Ora.

Hairuha enjoyed working with inmates teaching them Te Reo me ona Tikanga.

It was at this time his diabetes prevented him from working among our people but he continued to teach privately at home until his passing.

Hairuha's greatest love in life are his whānau, Te Reo, Music and his Church.

He always made time for his whānau and was a very humble and patient man.

His first language was was Te Reo and he struggled with the modern day language but attended wānanga to get a better grasp of this.

Despite this, he taught Matauranga MĀori as the atāmera for his Te Reo teachings.

He created his own gig band in 2006 and at the same time started his own country music club which he ran for 10 years until his health deteriorated. The club is still running today by his good friend Trevor Beamsley.

He was a staunch member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has been since his childhood as were the rest of his whānau.

Hairuha was hilarious and the family has many stories about his simple but funny humor. And often the but... of everyone's jokes, we thought, but later realised that the joke was on us.

As a loved son, son in-law, brother, husband, dad, koro, uncle, mentor and friend, he was loved by all. His mother in-law, Moki Te Patu would proudly introduce him to others as her “Tuhoe Son” and for the Te Patu whanau, Hairuha was their strength at every occasion and they are forever indebted to him for the love he showed towards them all by his presence and contribution to making them as a whanau, and the ability to keep their mana intact. He was their rock.

Here are some words from Mereana...

To my husband. As ur wife I wish to say that you are my night in shining armour.

You rescued me from myself, and you made me a descent person.

You showed me your love for Jesus Christ which helped me to find our saviour. Through you I learnt what humility is. Through you I was able to hold my tongue when I needed to. Through you I learned to be proud of my people, I owe you so much. I love u for all eternity, our souls are eternal, until we will meet again.

Words from his kids and mokopuna...

Our Dad, our Koro was a humble man, he loved to crack jokes and play magic tricks, especially on his mokopuna. He was a great coach, manager, and mentor and was always there for us especially during our sports. Tamati and Neihana would always win all the throphies but I guess that's what happens when ur dad is the coach and the everything else that comes with managing sports. He's a good leader on the stage, family and country club. He always made time for his mokos and his face always lit up when he saw us. Dad, Koro we have many fond memories which we will cherish forever. You will forever be in all of our hearts. We love u to eternity and will miss not having you around anymore. Love you forever your kids and your mokos xox.

Hairuha is survived by his wife, Mereana, his children Tamatete and Hariata, Neihana and Ngaire, and Kakawa. His grandsons Te Awarua (Jahna), Piki Te Kaha, Keilym and Jahkahn. And his only granddaughter Levani and Great granddaughter Te Ahipo.