Taniwharau Te Hoemanuka (Sonny) Waru

In the biographical notes in Te Ao Mārama: Contemporary Māori Writing Vol.1. Te Whakahuatanga O Te Ao: Reflections of Reality, Sonny Waru is described as "a labourer active in the union movement all his life. He was also an actor, taking the leading male role in Larry Parr’s short feature, The Mākutu on Mrs Jones. His prowess as an orator led to his photograph being featured on the cover of Michael King’s collection of essays Te Ao Hurihuri (1975). Sonny Waru, as he was known, was coaching a Māori cultural group for Expo, in Brisbane, Australia, in 1988, when he died." Further biographical details published in Te Iwi o Aotearoa note that Waru "was due to act as a consultant to the entertainment section of the New Zealand pavilion at the Expo 88 when he died. He was flown back to Auckland and lay at Ruapotaka Marae in Glen Innes before heading south to Turangawaewae, Taumarunui and lastly Waitara. Sonny Waru was a colourful character, recognised by both Pakeha and Māori alike. He fought in the Second World War as a member of the 28th Māori Battalion. He worked as a freezing worker, construction worker and union organiser. Later in life he worked for Māori Affairs in Taranaki, particularly with the young. An actor in films, Sonny’s face was seen frequently on television. He attended many huis throughout the land acting as an ambassaor for the people of Taranaki."

Biographical sources

• Te Ao Mārama: Contemporary Māori Writing. Comp. and ed. Witi Ihimaera. Contributing ed. Haare Williams, Irihapeti Ramsden and D. S. Long. Vol.1. Te Whakahuatanga O Te Ao: Reflections of Reality. Auckland, N.Z.: Reed, 1992. 160.
• "Sonny Waru Dies." Te Iwi o Aotearoa 11 (1988): 1.