Waitohi King, nee Te Awe Awe, pictured here with her daughter Cherry, was born 29 December 1923 to Wiremu Kingi Te Awe Awe and Pipi Ipurape Te Awe Awe nee Te Rei. She was the 4th of 9 children and grew up in Rangiotu in a home built by her grandfather Hare Rakena Te Awe Awe. She brought her children up during the hardship of the depression and without having much money she always put a hot meal on the table, and provided treats and a warm living room.
Family recall Waitohi as the sort of person who would give people the last of her money, or anything she owned if they asked. If they were hungry she would feed them, more often than not waiting till they were full until she prepared her own. She understood what it was to care for people, and for her moko’s she would do anything.
She was a majestic woman, holding her posture with elegance and grace. She never spoke ill about any person and always maintained her dignity and grace in everything, from doing the dishes to dining with the Mayor.
Waitohi took pride in her heritage and her rich family history and instilled this into her whānau, children and mokopuna. She was the ultimate mother. She died 15 November 2016.
