Rarawa Kohere was born in Gisborne and was educated at East Cape School and Napier Boys’ High School. He continued his studies at Otago University, Auckland University and Massey University and has graduated with a Diploma of Physical Education and Master of Education (Hons). He completed a PhD thesis in 2005 and has worked as a Lecturer in Māori Studies at Massey University’s Albany Campus where he taught Māori language and Treaty of Waitangi. He has attended various workshops and writes non-fiction articles.
Biographical sources
- Correspondence from Kohere on 22 Apr. and 8 June, 1998.
Non-fiction
- "Mokena Kohere." The Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ed. W. H. Oliver. Vol. 1. 1769-1869. Wellington, N.Z.: Allen & Unwin; Dept. of Internal Affairs, 1990. 230-232.
- In this biography of Ngāti Porou leader Mokena Kohere, Rarawa Kohere writes in detail of Mokena’s role in 1865 in standing against the Hauhau incursion into the East Coast. He also discusses Mokena’s role in maintaining Ngāti Porou land in the last decades of the 19th century. In 1872 Mokena became one of the first Māori representatives of the Legislative Council, a position he held until 1887.
- "Kohere, Reweti Tuhorouta 1871-1954." The Dictionary of the New Zealand Biography. Vol. 3. 1901-1920. Auckland; Wellington, N.Z.: Auckland UP; Dept. of Internal Affairs, 1996. 266-268.
- A detailed biography of Ngāti Porou clergyman, writer, editor and historian. Kohere notes Reweti Kohere’s role as a prolific writer and debater of controversial issues through the pages of newspapers. He also discusses his work as a clergyman and his opposition to government land policies.