John Tamihere - Early Life

Early Life

Tamihere was born in Auckland as the 10th of 12 children to a Māori father of Ngāti Porou, Whakatohea and Tainui descent, and a mother of Irish and Scottish descent. He is brother to convicted murderer David Tamihere. He attended St Mary's School in Avondale and St Peter's College where one of his most influential teachers was Tom Weal, deputy leader of the Social Credit Political League 1970–1972. John Tamihere rated Tom Weal as his most influential teacher. Tamihere said that Mr Weal would link things to politics and, in particular, to New Zealand's agricultural policies. He would emphasise that grass was the most important New Zealand crop as it was the basis of the wool, meat and dairy industries. Mr Weal alerted John Tamihere to the impact that Britain's joining the European Common market would have on New Zealand's economy and society. New Zealand would have to wake up quickly to the loss of the relationship with Britain, find new markets and new ways of doing things, and start to back itself. "The way Mr Weal brought education to life gave me a strong interest in what I call the Kiwi-isation of our society", wrote John Tamihere. Tamihere gained arts and law degrees from the University of Auckland, being the first person in his family to attend university. After graduating, he became a lawyer, eventually working for the Māori Land Court and the Department of Māori Affairs. In 1991 Tamihere became the chief executive of the Waipareira Trust, which provided health and education services to Māori in the Auckland region. He also served as chairman of the New Zealand Māori Rugby League Board. Tamihere had a relatively high profile before entering politics, having been selected as Person of the Year by the Sunday Star Times, New Zealander of the Year by North & South magazine, and Man of the Year by Metro magazine.