William Taite

Surname
Taite
Forename(s)
William

World War 2

Serial No
67793
Rank
Private
Address on enlistment
Tokorangi, Halcombe, New Zealand
Next of kin
Mrs N. Taite (wife), Tokorangi, Halcombe, New Zealand

Comments (5)

This is my Koro William Torohaere Taite, he lived in Halcome Manawatu till he passed away when he was 73. He fathered 4 children and has 14 moko's.

Shay is my Koro who raised me from a baby along with his second wife Emma Te Aweawe Larkin at Tokorangi. He was born in Wellington circa.1918, the son of Te Paea Pitiroi and Taite Te Popo and the youngest of three children his sisters being Makuini (Kuini Lewis) and Makarita (Rita Te Paerata). His mother died giving birth to him during the influenza epidemic and he was adopted by Te Pura Kiore and taken to Tokorangi, his sisters were taken to Taumarunui to live. Pura having no children of her own also adopted Ruihi Te Uringaro Rowe (aka Sunny Boy) and my aunty Waina. He grew up in Tokorangi and was schooled at the local primary across the Rangitikei River, which they crossed by canoe everyday. He grew up during the great depression and knew what it was like to go without. He rarely spoke of his experiences during the war, when he did it was only about the funny things that happened. He was an avid sportsman playing rugby for NZ Railways and Marton Athletic Rugby Club, later coaching my father and uncles at Marton Old Boys club, and hockey for the marae. There's much more to tell, heoi ano, kua nui mo tenei wa. Ma te wa ka tuhituhi etahi atu korero mona.

A lot of people have wondered where the name Chey, Shea, and Shay came from. Koro Shay was born just before the influenza epidemic post-WW1. Unfortunately his mother kui Paea died from the influenza epidemic, and with his father nowhere to be found, koro Shay was given the name of the Irish doctor who delivered him.

Kia ora,

Taite was a consul for Tuwharetoa, he was in England during the flu epidemic, and consequently put into quarantine when he returned to NZ.    Meanwhile his wife Te Paea Pitirioi and the three children were down at Lyle Bay at Tukino house taking care of the Te Heu Heu whanau. She contracted the flu and died leaving behind her three children.   There were families who were prepared to take all of them, but the powers that be did not approve.     Shay (1 yr old)  was sent to Tokorangi,  Makuini  (2 yrs old) was sent to Pukawa and Makarita (3 yrs old) my mother,  was taken by her g0rand mother Te Kahui to live with her and her second husband Lawrence Grace at the Mission house at Pukawa.  Taite's first wife was Te Raina she lived in Taumarunui.  Connection to the Turner whanau.   His third wife was Rangipango from Mowhango.   My grandmother Te Paea was buried at Johnsville Wellington.    Her remains along with two other whanau from Waihi were exhumed and returned to rest at Waihi.            "A blossom fell, scattering her seedlings to the wind"

Nga mihi katoa