Acknowledging Te Ihi Adrian Tito, 25 October 1941 – 23 August 2024
Ko Tangihua te maunga
E tare hua!
E mihi ana ki te whanua
E tangi ki te tangata!
E tangi aue aa a Tangihua, e tangi ana mō tetahi ō wana hua, e riro atu ki tep pō
Heke tonu ra ano ho tangi aue ana ā te tangi ō Te Roria e tangi haere nei!
Ka tangi Te Paeawhau!
Te Ihi Adrian Tito passed away at the Whangārei Hospital, surrounded by whānau, friends and colleagues on Friday, 23 August 2024, aged 83.
Te Ihi dedicated the last 20 years of his life to serving his people and whānau at the Whangārei Hospital as Kaumātua and Chief of Tikanga. Matua Te Ihi has worked with many whānau that needed support and care during their stay at the Whangārei Hospital, however, his cultural influence over Northland Hospitals has been invaluable to many.
His cultural footprint and the narrative he shared from his Hapū and Iwi have become a testament to the Whangārei Hospital site, Pukauakaua. A Champion of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and equity in his work and service to all people who have been cared for in Whangārei and other hospital sites. Te Ihi stood for many Hapū and Iwi matters and facilitated and navigated challenging processes for benefits of his whānau, Hapū and Iwi.
Te Ihi Tito was the Chair of the Kaunihera Kaumātua, Te Whatu Ora Northland, a firm believer in Te Aka Whai Ora – Māori Health Authority and was spokesperson on Tiriti matters and a kaikōrero in significant national events at Waitangi and Northland. He was the face and leader of many auspicious occasions with other Iwi Leaders and Government Delegates across the motu.
Matua Te Ihi Tito will leave the corridors of the hospital he was familiar with, to return home to his people and whānau of Te Parawhau, leaving behind him a significant contribution to health and wellness in Northland.
Matua Te Ihi Tito will lay in state on Tangiterōria Marae, Tirarau Te Whare Tūpuna, 95 Pukehuia Road, Tangiterōria, Kaipara, Northland.
Peter Thomas
Te Rarawa
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