Most Happy Fella by Beryl Margaret McMillan Te ...

Te Wiata began to develop a circle of supporters who wished to help him further his singing education. Te Wiata's work on Turongo prevented him from joining the Choir when they toured Great Britain. Seamer, and it toured all over New Zealand. This choir was organised by the Superintendent of the Methodist Māori Mission, Reverend A. He continued his public singing during this time and was a very active member of the Waiata Māori Choir. He also did seasonal labouring work at the Horotiu Freezing works, near Hamilton. They had six children Ianui, Kirikowhai, Hinemoana, Gloria, Budgie (who died as a toddler) and Inia jnr. During his time in Ngāruawāhia he married Rose Evelyn Friar known as Ivy.

He was employed for three years assisting with the carving of the mantelpiece of Turongo, the house of the Māori King, which opened in 1936.

He was taught by Piri Poutapu, and first worked on carvings in the Kawhia Methodist Church and the Te Winika canoe. Te Wiata moved to Tūrangawaewae at Ngāruawāhia in the Waikato region to pursue an interest in Māori carving, whakairo. She taught both Te Wiata and his cousin to sing duets. Other family members encouraged Te Wiata in his singing – particularly Mrs Mihi Taylor, a member of the Rikihana family. Afterwards he joined his cousin's quartet, which included Wi Nicholls, Henry Tahiwi and Dan Rikihana. At the age of 13 his voice broke and settled into a bass-baritone. After primary school he attended Otaki Māori College. He attended the Otaki state school and was taught music by Miss Edith Miller. He developed an interest in singing and first performed on stage at the age of 7. His mother Constance Helena Johnson remarried soon afterwards and Inia was brought up by Pairoroku and Rakate Rikihana, relatives of his father.

His father, Watene Te Wiata, died in the 1918 influenza epidemic. Inia Te Wiata was born in Ōtaki, New Zealand, into the Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga iwi. Inia Morehu Tauhia Watene Iarahi Waihurihia Te Wiata MBE (10 June 1915 – 26 June 1971) was a New Zealand Māori bass-baritone opera singer, film actor, whakairo (carver) and artist.

Most Happy Fella by Beryl Margaret McMillan Te ...