Hirone Wikiriwhi was born in Whakarewarewa, Rotorua, and “was educated at Te Aute College and at Canterbury University College, where he majored in history and economics. While at university he was active in rugby, tennis and swimming, and was recommended for a Rhodes Scholarship. During the Second World War he served overseas as an Intelligence Sergeant in the Māori Battalion. He lectured in Māori studies for two years at Auckland University College, and also spent some years as a school-teacher.” In his later years he lived in Rotorua and was active in several Māori organisations. He was married and had two daughters and eight grandchildren [Contemporary Māori Writing 150].
Biographical sources
- Phone conversation with Eruera Wikiriwhi on 28 Oct. 2004.
- Email correspondence from Wiki Wickliffe on 28 Oct. 2005.
- Contemporary Māori Writing. Comp. and introd. Margaret Orbell. Wellington, N.Z.: Reed, 1970: 150.
Non-fiction
- "Proverbial and Popular Sayings of the Māori/Nga Whakatauaki Me Nga Pepeha A Te Māori." Te Ao Hou 11 (1955): 22-23.
- Wikiriwhi lists eight proverbial sayings which Sir George Grey gathered together in his collections of Māori literature. Wikiriwhi writes that they ‘constitute the gems of our literature, and should be rewritten with all explanations, remembering it was customary to give a statement with its body, head and tail complete.’ Wikiriwhi provides brief explanations of the proverbial sayings which included: "Engari tena, te tutanga te unuhia"; "He toa paheke, ko te rourou iti a haere, ko te toa mahi kai, ko te tokanga nui a noho"; "He paraki waha. He hawatewate. He titotito"; "E rua tau ruru, E rua tau wehe, E rua tau mutu, E rua tau kai"; "Etae koutou ki uta, kei mau ki tu, puhia he angina, e mau ki tai ki noho, mate huhu, e pepe hanehane’; "E waru pu hoki, E waru pu tautahi"; "He koanga, tangata tahi, He ngahuru, puta noa"; and "Kakariki tunua, Kakariki otaina."
- "Proverbial And Popular Sayings Of The Māori/Etahi Pepeha A Nga Iwi." Te Ao Hou 12 (1955): 48-49.
- Explanations of the following pepeha or tribal sayings: "Ko te ‘Ati Awa o runga o te Rangi’"; "Ko te Arawa e waru pumanawa"; "Ko nga maunga katoa he tangata"; "Ka tere Raua, Ka tere Pikiwhakao"; "Ko Heretaunga hauku nui"; "Ka kata nga puriri o Taiamai"; "Tuhoe moumou kai, moumou taonga, Moumou tangata ki te po"; "Ko Turanga makau ra"; "Ko te Tukemata whanui o Kahungunu"; "Ko te Arawa manga nui"; "Ngātiporou nuka rau, He iwi moke, he whanoke" and "Wairoa tapoko-rau."
- "Proverbial and Popular Sayings of the Māori/Nga Whakatauki Me Nga Pepeha Māori." Te Ao Hou 13 (1955): 41-43.
- Wikiriwhi writes in Māori and English versions the origins and explanations of four proverbs/whakatauki which are taken from iwi all over New Zealand. Wikiriwhi writes that these proverbs need to be recorded in written form otherwise ‘they will disappear like the Moa.’ The proverbs are: "E kore ahau e ngaro, he kakano i ruia mai i Rangitea"; "Ta te tamariki, tana mahi he wawahi taha"; "He tangata takahi manuhiri, he marae puehu"; and "He tata a runga, he roa a raro."
- "He Kōrero Hararei/A Holiday Story. Part 1." Te Ao Hou 14 (1956): 16+.
- This story is a highly descriptive account of the visit of Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh to New Zealand in 1953. It is written in Māori with an English translation by Wikiriwhi and won the Te Ao Hou Literary Competition for stories written in Māori.
- "He Kōrero Hararei/A Holiday Story: The Queen in Rotorua. Part II." Te Ao Hou 15 (1956): 12-15.
- In this second part of Wikiriwhi’s prize-winning story, he describes the Queen’s visit to the Rotorua Horse Racing Club. During the playing of the national anthem a large group of tattooed men remained in a crouched position and Mr Herekiekie Grace explained to the Queen: ‘they are bound by the unwritten code of Tumatauenga - the Māori deity of War and of Man. Until his portion is fulfilled these men must crouch before you, before they burst into their dance of acclamation.’ Wikiriwhi gives a graphic description of the impressive Arawa welcome which was followed by speeches, presentation of gifts and the Queen’s speech in reply.
- "Country Girl." English trans. H. Wikiriwhi. Te Ao Hou 37 (1961): 13-16. Rpt. in Contemporary Māori Writing. Comp. and introd. Margaret Orbell. Wellington, N.Z.: Reed, 1970. 105-110.
- In this cautionary tale Wikiriwhi highlights the importance of whanau and iwi support for newcomers to the city.
- "Unveilings at Mokai." Te Ao Hou 69 (1971): 26+.
- A description of the unveiling of the tombstones of two elders, Nguha Huirama and Turau te Tomo, from the Tuwharetoa sub-tribe Ngāti Te Kohera. Some one thousand visitors and residents of Mokai te Ure including Queen Te Atairangikaahu and Mr J. H. W. Barber, the District Officer of Māori and Island Affairs in Rotorua, attended the unveilings. Wikiriwhi provides brief histories of the men and an account of the day’s activities.
- "Te Whāriwara O Poronōhia Polynesian Festival, 1972." Te Ao Hou 72 (1973): 2-7. In Māori and English.
- Wikiriwhi gives a detailed report of the Te Whāriwara O Poronōhia Polynesian Festival which was held at the Rotorua Sports Drome in 1972 and hosted by Te Arawa. Māori, Samoan, Rarotongan, Niuean and Tokelauan groups all took part in this festival and Wikiriwhi gives the results of the various competitions.
Other
- "Tainui Tuatahi." Te Ao Hou 30 (1960): 21-23.
- "Etahi Whakaaro." [Rotorua Oketopa 4, 1973] Rongo 1.1 (Summer 1973/74): 19.
Sound recordings
- Māori Legends. Vol. 2. Interpreted and told by Douglas Hastings. [Wellington, N.Z.]: His Master’s Voice, [196-?].
- Non-musical Sound Recording. Includes chants especially composed and delivered by Hirone Wikiriwhi. 1 sound disc.
- Hatupatu And The Ogress: A Māoriland Story. Told by Douglas Hastings. Chants recorded by Hirone Wikiriwhi. Wellington, N.Z.: Kiwi, [195-?].
- 1 sound disc.