Rangi Henare Tuhata

Rangi Henare Tuhata was born Robert Hanaghan, in Birkenhead, England. His next of kin were James and Winifred Hanaghan of Cornwall St, Masterton, not Mrs Riches as he declared on enlistment.  A letter in 1946 applying for part of his war gratuity fund stated he had married and was moving to warmer climates, but I cannot find a record of marriage under his English or Maori name.  We know that he re-enlisted as Rangi Tuhata after being discharged from the army on medical grounds under his english name.  He spoke fluent maori, and had a number of Maori friends in the Taranaki region.  His surviving sisters would love  to know what happened to him - if anyone can shed some light we would be eternally grateful.

This may be what you are looking for.

Hi,Thank you for your reply.  Unfortunately I have been unable to make the link work.  It may be that I am on holiday at the moment (in Gisborne!) and am using the holiday home computer

Hi sandieb - this link should get you to the page: http://www.gisborneherald.co.nz/notices/notice.aspx?id=7870Jamie Mackay

Thank you ' Colbe' and Jamie. I have managed to get to the notice of the passing of Hoturangi Tautau - I had a lump in my throat thinking that maybe my uncle had changed his name again, but realised the serial number was different. Or am I missing something? Kind regards Sandie

Robert Hanaghan served in the New Zealand Army until medically discharged in April 1943. He then re-enlisted as Rangi Henare Tuhata in October 1944. Private Tuhata embarked for overseas in January 1945 with the 14th Reinforcements, and following further training in Egypt, moved to Italy on 20 April 1945. He was posted to 28 (Maori) Battallion with effect 27 April 1945. He returned to New Zealand in January 1946, and was discharged with effect 22 February 1946. His address following the war was 215 Gill Street New Plymouth, which was the home of the late John Henry Tuhata. Mr Tuhata's daughter Topeara Anne Riches appears to be the person who Rangi listed as his sister. There is one electoral roll entry showing he was in the Hawkes Bay. Rangi did not make any further contact with the Director of Base records following his letter of April 1946. Despite searching intermittently for over 20 years now, I still don't know what became of him after the war. I am still interested in hearing from anyone who may have information.

Robert Hanaghan served in the New Zealand Army until medically discharged in April 1943. He then re-enlisted as Rangi Henare Tuhata in October 1944. Private Tuhata embarked for overseas in January 1945 with the 14th Reinforcements, and following further training in Egypt, moved to Italy on 20 April 1945. He was posted to 28 (Maori) Battallion with effect 27 April 1945. He returned to New Zealand in January 1946, and was discharged with effect 22 February 1946. His address following the war was 215 Gill Street New Plymouth, which was the home of the late John Henry TuhataDamon. Mr Damons daughter Topeara Anne Riches appears to be the person who Rangi listed as his sister. There is one electoral roll entry showing he was in the Hawkes Bay. Rangi did not make any further contact with the Director of Base records following his letter of April 1946. Despite searching intermittently for over 20 years now, I still don't know what became of him after the war. I am still interested in hearing from anyone who may have information.

Hi folks, Ive been very interested in this story since it aired on Stuff and susequently the Genealogy NZ page on Facebook has been looking at it.

I thought you might be interested to know that I found him in 1949 in Kaitangata, in the South Island. On that electoral roll he identifies himself as being iwi Te Ati Awa, a tribe from Wellington/New Plymouth.

I have reached out to the iwi, thinking that as his occupation was "Shearer" maybe he was in a travelling gang. I have approached Te Ati Awa with some questions and am waiting to hear back.

Hi, as an amateur sleuth I found him under his Maori name in Kaitangata on the 1949 electoral roll.

He has self identified as Te Ati Awa. I wonder if he is in a travelling shearing gang, as previously he listed that as his occupation.

I have reached out to Te Ati Awa to see if they have any records of him and will let you know when I have had contact.