Rangitamoe Waaka was born in Rotorua, the only child of Pipiana nee Haira and Dick Bradley. Louie was educated at Matata Primary School and St Mary’s Convent School in Rotorua. In 1937 she married Te Kuru-o-Te Marama Waaka and had ten children. Louie worked as a manager of the souvenir and carving shop at the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute. She was a member of the Waiwhero branch of the MWWL; she was made a life member of the League. Louie was a stalwart of the Te Ngae Pastorate in Rotorua and devoted her life to raising her children and supporting the family home.
Biographical sources
- Correspondence with Peter Waaka: 9 and 27 July 1998 and 9 Nov. 2004.
- Phone conversation with Mahora Whiston on 3 August 1998.
Non-fiction
- "Maata Wickliffe." The Book of New Zealand Women - Ko Kui Ma Te Kaupapa. Ed. Charlotte Macdonald, Merimeri Penfold and Bridget Williams. Wellington, N.Z.: Bridget Williams, 1991: 733-735.
- Co-authors Louie Waaka, Charlie Hurihanganui and Cushla Parekowhai. A biographical account of Maata Wickliffe who played the leading role in the New Zealand film The Romance of Hinemoa. Louie Waaka and Charlie Hurihanganui give an eye-witness account of Maata Wickliffe’s life from the time of her return to Rotorua after many years of guiding at Wairakei thermal area.