Bird, William Henry, 1961-1947 (Person)

SummaryAlso known as Willie Bird.

William Henry Bird was born in Fermanagh, Ireland, on 18 November 1861, the son of William Henry Bird and Sarah Leach. He arrived at Lyttelton in 1864 and settled near Te Puke and Fort Galatea. He married Kiekie Hopaia, granddaughter of Peraniko, and survived the 1886 Tarawera eruption. A storekeeper, bridge builder, accommodation operator and fluent Māori speaker, Bird represented local Māori interests and developed extensive knowledge of regional rivers. He died on 19 June 1947 and was buried at Rangitahi Cemetery, Murupara.SourcesHistorical review, May 2022; v.70 n.1:p.3-9; issn:New Zealand Memories, Issue 4, Volume 1, p245

Restored group portrait with original inset, from New Zealand Memories, Issue 4, Volume 1, p245

Standing from left: William H. Bird, John Bird, Joseph McRae, Charles Humphreys and George Baker. Seated: Mrs Mary Bridan, the servant; Guide Sophia; and Mrs Humphreys. In front is Pahia, who was assistant cook at McRae’s hotel.

Original photo supplied to New Zealand Memories by Kirsty Ravenwood.

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Personal Information

First Name(s)William HenrySurnameBirdDate of Birth1861Place of BirthFermanagh, IrelandDate of Death19 June 1947Place of Burial/CremationRangitahi Cemetery, Murupara

Partner

PartnerKiekie Hopaia

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AuthorTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City LibrariesType of ContributionLibrary authorityTaxonomyStories | People

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Bird, William Henry, 1961-1947 (Person)