TAWHAI, HONE MOHI (? 1834-94), son of Mohi Tawhai, was M.H.R. for Northern Maori 1879-84. He was an upright and persistent advocate of native rights and was one of the best qualified and most statesmanlike Maori members of Parliament. He defeated Tawhiti in 1879 and Taiwhanga in 1881. Tawhai was offered an appointment as West Coast commissioner in 1879, but refused. He died on 31 Jul 1894.

A son, Kereama TAWHAI (1864-85), a promising young man, had an intensely spiritual mind and all the instincts of a gentleman. He studied at Three Kings (under Buddle) and at Auckland Grammar School and was then articled to a legal firm. Tawhai was a popular and successful athlete and died as a result of injuries at football.

Buller; Carleton; Marsden, L. and J.; S. P. Smith, Wars; Ramsden; Scholefield in N.Z. Times, 10 Oct 1907; Hone Heke, Sir J. Carroll, Sir A. Ngata (information); Hammond; N.Z. Herald, 29 Mar 1875, 4 Apr 1883, 1 Aug 1894. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 188

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