IWI: Ngāti Rangitihi, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Pikiao, Tuhourangi

MARAE: Rangiaohia (Matata)

BIRTHPLACE: Matata (02 February 1934)

 

 

 

 

HOCKEY, TENNIS, SOFTBALL, BASKETBALL

 

 

Biography | tuhinga koi ora

Margaret was born at Whakatane to Margaret (Daisy) and Te Whainoa Raureti, mokopuna of Raureti and Te Aoerere Mokonuiarangi and Margaret and Fred Thomas. She is of Māori, Welsh and Sottish descent. The whanau lived at Matata. She had 4 sisters, Kanui, Parekura, Wynel and Irene, and 3 brothers Laurie, Neil and Morris.

Sadly only Margaret and Morris are still alive. Laurie and Morris were both NZ Māori All Blacks and played rugby for Waikato and Bay of Plenty, Morris was also a NZ Colt. Marg was educated at Matata Native School and Whakatane District High School. In her final school year the school became Whakatane High School and Marg was Head Girl. She went to Ardmore Teachers Training College in 1951 where she met Ruruarau Heitia Hiha whom she married at Matata on the 18 December 1954.

She played hockey for Auckland in1951 & 52, and softball 1951 & 52, winning the National Tournament that year. Marg was one of 12 Training College students selected nationally for a year’s training at Dunedin Teachers College as Physical Education and Health Specialists. She represented Otago in hockey and softball,1953. In 1954 whilst teaching Physical Education at Whakatane High School, she played hockey for Bay of Plenty and Auckland Country. Heitia taught at Westshore School, that year.

Heita played rugby for Auckland Colts and South Auckland Seniors 1952/53. He was a NZ Māori Rugby Rep from1954 -1957,a Hawkes Bay Rugby Rep 1954-1957, 1962 -1964, played for Tai Rawhiti 1954 -1957, and East Coast 1958-1961. He played Rep Tennis for Hawkes Bay from 1962 and in the NZ Māori Tennis Team 1975.

Marg and Heitia taught in Waipawa 1955-May 1958 when they moved to a 2 teacher Māori School at Horoera, 1958 -1962. They returned to Napier where they taught until they retired. Marg taught for 34 years and Heitia for 31 years. Marg was a carer consultant for 7 years and Heitia developed a hydroponic business prior to working for Social Welfare as Assistant Director to implement Te Puao-te-Ata-tu. He was the Iwi Liaison Officer for the HB Regional Council and Napier City Council finally retiring from full time work in 1998. However he continues to serve on several Māori Trusts and committees, chairing the Te Whanganui a Orotu Wai55 Treaty Claim.

Marg retired from full time work in1997, but has been the kuia with the Child Adolescent and Family Mental Health Team (Te Harakeke) since 1998, working 10 hours a week, and recently has accepted a similar role with the Batchelor of Arts and Social Sciences Faculty at Eastern Institute of Technology.

Marg and Heitia have 4 children and 7 mokopuna, they have 3 daughters, Anne Aroha, Kanui Allana and Shelley Moana and one son, Heitia Shane. They all played rep tennis for Hawkes Bay through the age grades. All 3 older children have completed degrees and Shelley is a qualified Sports Massage Therapist. All 4 children now lecture or teach. While at University Anne and Allana both played for the NZ University Hockey Teams. Anne also played hockey for Wellington B and Allana for Manawatu and NZ. Shelley played rep hockey for Hawkes Bay and Wellington, the NZ Māori Team and coached the NZ Māori team for several years.

Currently (June 2009)Marg is coaching 3-9 year olds (littlies) in hockey, a year 5/6 school team, and assists with an Intermediate team. It keeps her involved in hockey and introduces the sport to young ones and weekly still plays tennis.

 

Achievements | tutukitanga

SOFTBALL

Auckland 1951/52 (won National Tournament)

Otago 1953 COACH / ADMINISTRATION: NZ Education Institute Counsellor (counselling with teachers having problems, personal or Professional)

 

HOCKEY

Auckland 1951/52 Otago

1953 Auckland Country

1954 Bay of Plenty

1954 Hawkes Bay

1962 -1980 (Captain 1964 -1979)

K Cup Winners 1968 / 69/ 70/ 72/ 73/ 74/ 75 / 76 / 80

North Island 1951/52/63- until selection ceased

NZ Māori Team 1953 North Island Minor 1964

NZ 1967

Hawkes Bay Hockey Team Manager 1986 – 93

NZ Hockey Team Coach/ Selector 1981 -83

HB Hockey Team Coach 1979 -84

HB Hockey Team Selector 1970 – 74

NZ Hockey Team Coach / Manager 1978

HB Hockey Team to Canada- Captain /Coach / Organiser 1976

Instigated Annual NZ Māori Rep Hockey Tournament 1992

 

TENNIS

Hawkes Bay 1962-1975

NZ Māori Singles Title 1967/69/71

NZ Māori Doubles 1967 /69

NZ Māori Team 1975

 

BASKETBALL

Hawkes Bay 1951/52/75

 

SOFTBALL
Auckland Rep 1975

 

HONOURS
NZ Hockey Association (Life Member)
Aotearoa Haupoi Maori (Life Member)
Hawkes Bay Hockey Association (Life Member)
Maori Sports Administrator of the Year (1991)
Hawkes Bay Sportsperson of the Era (1966-1986)

 

COACH / ADMINISTRATION
NZEI Counsellor
Hawkes Bay Hockey Team Manager – 1986, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93
NZ Womens Hockey Team, Coach – Selector – 1981, 82, 83
Hawkes Bay Hockey Team Coach – 1979 – 84
Hawkes Bay Hockey Team Selector – 1970 – 84
NZ University Hockey Team, Coach, Manager 1978
Hawkes Bay Womens Hockey team to Canada, Captain, Coach, Organiser –1976