HADDON, ROBERT TAHUPOTIKI (1866-1936) was the son of Charles Haddon and Te Paia, and on his mother's side was of high descent in the Ngati-Ruanui and Nga-Rauru tribes. In boyhood he was adopted by Tohu Kakahi (q.v.), one of the prophets of Parihaka, and was thus recognised also as a high chief of Taranaki. He witnessed many stirring events in and about Parihaka in the days of Te Whiti's rise and decline.

As a young man Haddon took an active part in the Young Maori Movement, and later he was associated with Maui Pomare (q.v.) in the reform of Maori hygiene. He entered the ministry of the Methodist Church, was ordained and in time became superintendent of the Maori missions of the Church. In this position, he did valuable work in improving the social conditions of the people. For 35 years he travelled widely amongst the Maori tribes of the North Island, attending all the great gatherings. He was keenly interested in the exclusion of liquor from the King Country, and was a member of the deputation which waited upon Parliament, taking with it a wheelbarrow and spade in token of the bargain which was made (when the last section of the Main Trunk railway was opened) that liquor would never be allowed into the Rohe-potae. Haddon was well versed in the ancient lore of his people, which he studied at the feet of such teachers as Tauke te Hapimana and Te Haukopa. When he participated at the installation of the Maori King Koroki, he was honoured by being clad in the cloak of Tawhiao. At the hui at Waitangi in 1934 he presented to the Treaty House, on behalf of the Taranaki Maori, a painting of the great event of 1840, done by his son Oliver Haddon. One of his last interests was the formation in 1936 of the Aotea Maori Association, to improve the social condition of the people.

Haddon died at Warkworth on 5 Nov 1936. His wife, Susan Haerehau Haddon, died on 10 Aug 1932.

Hawera Star, 10 Apr 1930 (p); 'Tohunga' in N.Z. Railways Magazine, 1 Dec 1936 (p).

Reference: Volume 1, page 186

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