Gugi Waaka | |
---|---|
Birth name | Hore Wiremu Waaka |
Born | Whakatāne, New Zealand | 1 August 1937
Origin | New Zealand |
Died | 5 July 2014 Auckland, New Zealand | (aged 76)
Genres | Māori show band |
Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
Years active | 1960–2014 |
Hore Wiremu "Gugi" Waaka (1 August 1937 – 5 July 2014), also known as Gugi Walker, was a New Zealand musical entertainer. A guitarist and singer, he was a founding member of the Quin Tikis and the Maori Volcanics Showband.
Of Ngāti Awa and Ngāti Pūkeko descent, Waaka was born on 1 August 1937. [1] [2] He grew up at Poroporo, near Whakatāne. [1]
After serving in the air force in the late 1950s, Waaka began his show business career [3] and was a founding member of the Quin Tikis. [4] Moving to Australia, he formed in the Polynesian Trio with his brother and sister-in-law, Nuki and Mahora Waaka, in 1961. [5] [6] The trio then joined with Matti Kemp, John Clarke and Hector Epae, [7] forming the Maori Volcanics Showband in 1964. [6] Waaka left the band after a few months following a minor disagreement with Nuki. [4]
Waaka was a member of a number of other show bands, including the Maori Premiers and the New Zealand Impacts Showband, and formed the eponymous Gugi Walker Quartet.[ citation needed]
Between 2002 and 2007 Waaka performed at the annual Aotearoa Māori Sports Awards, providing post-awards entertainment. [1]
Following his death from heart problems on 5 July 2014, Waaka's body lay in state at Papakura Marae. [2] [3]