Arapeta Awatere

Arapeta Marukitepua Pitapitanuiarangi Awatere DSO, MC (25 April 1910 – 6 March 1976) was a scholar, decorated military leader, Māori welfare officer, writer, linguist, and local politician. He served in the Māori Battalion from 1940 to 1945, commanding C Company at the Battle of Tebaga Gap in 1943 and later leading the battalion in Italy. He was awarded the Military Cross and the Distinguished Service Order for bravery and leadership.

After the war he became a prominent civic figure, teaching and advocating for Māori language and culture. He also wrote poetry and translated literary works into Māori, with some of his early poems appearing in Te Ao Hou in 1959. Despite later health struggles, including the effects of a stroke and diabetes, Awatere remained active as a teacher and writer.

In 1969, following the murder of his mistress’s lover, he was imprisoned at Mount Eden Prison, where he continued to write and teach until his death in 1976.

Sir Peter Williams QC described him as “one of the great New Zealanders of all time.”