Paraire Henare Tomoana | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1874/75 |
| Died | 15 April 1946 |
| Occupation(s) | Lyricist, writer, tribal leader |
| Works | Pokarekare Ana, E Pari Ra |
Paraire "Friday" Henare Tomoana (died 15 April 1946) was a Māori political leader, journalist, historian, sportsman, and lyricist of the Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāi Te Whatu-i-Āpiti tribes. Born either in Waipatu or Pakowhai near Hastings, he was the son of Henare Tomoana, the principal chief of the Heretaunga region and Member of Parliament for the Eastern Māori electorate. He was educated at Te Aute College and was a member of the Young Māori Party, an association of alumni from the college that dominated the Māori political landscape in the early 20th century.[1]
Tomoana was in favour of Māori enlistment in the First World War, and was a major fundraiser and organiser of recruitment drives for the New Zealand (Māori) Pioneer Battalion. Between 1921 and 1932 he was an editor of the Māori newspaper Te Toa Takitini, an Anglican periodical providing Māori commentary on current events and Māori history. Tomoana's musical compositions include E Pari Rā and I Runga O Nga Puke. He was an Anglican lay reader, and at the time of his death was widely acknowledged as an authority on Māori history and culture.[1]
Tomoana suffered a stroke and died on 15 April 1946. He was succeeded as the principal Ngāti Kahungunu chief of the Heretaunga region by his eldest son, Taanga Tomoana.
- ^ a b Ballara, Angela. "Tomoana, Paraire Henare". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 10 December 2015.