Inia Te Wiata

Inia Morehu Tauhia Watene Iarahi Waihurihia Te Wiata MBE was a New Zealand Mori bassbaritone opera singer, film actor, carver and artist.

Inia Te Wiata was born in Otaki, New Zealand, into the Ngti Raukawa ki te Tonga iwi. His father, Watene Te Wiata, died in the 1918 influenza epidemic. His mother Constance Helena Johnson remarried soon afterwards and Inia was brought up by Pairoroku and Rakate Rikihana, relatives of his father. He developed an interest in singing and first performed on stage at the age of 7. He attended the Otaki state school and was taught music by Miss Edith Miller. After primary school he attended Otaki Mori College. At the age ofhis voice broke and settled into a bassbaritone. Afterwards he joined his cousins quartet, which included Wi Nicholls, Henry Tahiwi and Dan Rikihana. Other family members encouraged Te Wiata in his singing particularly Mrs Mihi Taylor, a member of the Rikihana family. She taught both Te Wiata and his cousin to sing duets.

Source: Wikipedia