Autini Pitara Kaipara
Born 27 Jan 1887 - Died 4 Aug 1917
- Service number
- WWI 16/10 AWMM
- Also known as
- —
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Last rank
- WW1 Second Lieutenant AWMM New Zealand Pioneer Battalion AWMM
- War
- World War I, 1914-1918 AWMM
About
- Title
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- Forenames
- Autini Pitara AWMM
- Surname
- Kaipara AWMM
- Ingoa
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- Also known as
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- Service number
- WWI 16/10 AWMM
- Gender
- Male AWMM
- Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
- Iwi Māori, Māori AWMM
- Ngāti Rangitihi, Ngā Iwi o Te Arawa, Te Arawa, Waka o Ngā Iwi, Ngā Iwi, Māori AWMM
Images
Documents
About birth
- Birth
- 27 Jan 1887 Peter Dennis, UNSW Canberra
- Date of birth
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- Place of birth
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- Birth notes
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- Address before enlistment
- Unknown AWMM 78 Wainui Road, Gisborne, New Zealand AWMM
- Unknown AWMM Unknown address AWMM
- Post war occupation
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- Next of kin
- Mrs Monica Kaipara, Waitapu, New Zealand AWMM
- Mrs Celia Kathrine Kaipara (wife), C.P.O., Auckland, New Zealand AWMM
Wars and conflicts
- War
- World War I, 1914-1918 AWMM
- Campaign
- 1915-1916 AWMM Gallipoli AWMM
- 1914-1919 AWMM Western Front AWMM
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Service number
- WWI 16/10 AWMM
- Military service
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- Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers
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Military decorations
- Medals and Awards
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Training and Enlistment
- Military training
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- Branch Trade Proficiency
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- Enlistment
- WW1 Unknown AWMM Unknown/Civilian AWMM
- WW1 Interpreter/Civilian AWMM
- Age on enlistment
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- Occupation before enlistment
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Embarkations
- Embarkation details
- WW1 14 Feb 1915-26 Mar 1915 AWMM
HMNZT 20 AWMM Vessel was Warrimoo AWMM Second Lieutenant AWMM B Company AWMM 1st Maori Contingent AWMM - WW1 02 Jan 1917-27 Mar 1917 AWMM
HMNZT 73 AWMM Vessel was Opawa AWMM Second Lieutenant AWMM 12th Reinforcements AWMM Maori Contingent AWMM
2nd Embarkation AWMM
- WW1 14 Feb 1915-26 Mar 1915 AWMM
Prisoner of war
- Capture details
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- Days interned
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- Liberation date
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- POW liberation details
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- Liberation Repatriation
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- POW serial number
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Medical history
- Medical notes
- Killed in Action, Cause of Death AWMM
- Height, WWI AWMM
5' 6.25" AWMM - Weight, WWI AWMM
141 lb AWMM - Height, WWI AWMM
5' 6.25" AWMM - Weight, WWI AWMM
141 lb AWMM
Last known rank
- Last rank
- WW1 Second Lieutenant AWMM
New Zealand Pioneer Battalion AWMM - Last rank
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Biographical information
- Autini Kaipara was the son of Takawhata Pitara Kaipara; husband of Hina Katerina Kaipara.
Embarked Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli, 30 June 1915.
Admitted to Hamreen Hospital, Malta, 31 July 1915 (not yet diagnosed); transferred to Military Hospital, Intarfa, 17 August 1915 (dysentery); discharged to Ghain Tuffieha Hospital, 20 September 1915; embarked for Mudros, 16 November 1915.
Disembarked Alexandria, 27 December 1915 (general Gallipoli evacuation).
Attached to Canterbury Infantry Bn, Moascar, 1 January 1916.
Temporarily attached to Otago Infantry Bn, Moascar, 3 January 1916.
Admitted to Australian Hospital, Moascar, 15 March 1916 (influenza); transferred to NZ General Hospital, Cairo, 21 March 1916.
Commenced return to New Zealand from Suez on board HT 'Willochra', 13 April 1916 (invalided: synovitis, right knee).
Medical Board, Rotorua, 17 August 1916, found him unfit for active service for 6 months, but fit for Home Service, and fit for civil employment.
Letter, Mr A. McKay, Licensed Interpreter (1st Grade) and Native Agent, to Minister of Defence, 2 November 1916: 'I have the honour to lay before you a grievance in respect of the conduct of one of your Officers (Lieut. A.P. Kaipara a returned soldier now attached to the 9th N.Z. Maori Contingent at Narrow Neck Camp who has lured my wife away from her home and who now lives in adultery with her, as I understand at Devonport, which Contingent is shortly to leave the Dominion for places beyond the Seas. I am sure, Sir, you will not countenance or allow a person of immoral character to be placed in command over the heads of more honourable men than this officer and so bring dishonour and disgrace on the King's Uniform which he wears and sense of shame to those over whom he has been placed as an officer ... This officer as an Instructor of the Native Soldiers will not command the respect of his subordinates - as is the custom of natives - when they gain the knowledge that the officer placed over their heads is of a doubtful character. The large wage or salary paid by your Department to this officer enables him to provide for this woman and so lead with him a life of immorality which, in honour to the King's Uniform he wears, he cannot deny. I would respectfully ask you, as my wife is a party concerned in this matter that this officer be deprived of his commission as an officer as a person unfitted to be such, and so bring him down to the grade of a private Soldier, for dishonourable conduct ... This officer has never done much active service whilst at the front, being laid up at Hospital with bodily ailments for about two thirds of the whole time he was there, and the other time recuperating ... The privilege given to officers to write and forward letters (without being censored) has enabled this officer to hold communications with my wife, without interruption, whilst at the front which has caused her to be lured away from her home on the officer's return to the Dominion.'
In the view of the Solictor-General, 22 November 1916, 'The facts stated in Mr. McKay's letter of the 2nd inst. are not sufficient to enable me to advise definitely on this matter. Speaking generally adultery on the part of an officer is not in itself a sufficient ground for depriving him of his commission. It may be, however, that the circumstances of the particular case as such that this officer's character and conduct are inconsistent with his military efficiency or with the proper administration of the Forces ... If the circumstances of the present case are thought such as to justify the dismissal of this officer it would presumably be unnecessary to proceed by way of court martial since it may be assumed that the facts cannot be denied by him. He could therefore be simply dismissed by the governor in exercise of the power conferred by the Expeditionary Force Act.'
Minute, Adjutant General, 24 November 1916, to District Headquarters, Military Forces, Auckland: 'This Office has received a communication from a Mr McKay of Wairoa, Hawkes Bay who asserts that the above named officer [Lt KAIPARA] is living in adultery with Celia Kathleen McKay (the wife of the above named Mr McKay) at Devonport, Auckland. You will quite realise the seriousness of a charge of this nature and it will require careful and confidential handling. I want you to call upon this Officer to appear before you and to affirm or deny the accusation. Whilst this social misdemeanour is not of itself sufficient to deprive an Officer of his commission yet if Lieut. Kaipara admits that he is living with this woman it should be pointed out to him that it may become of sufficient scandalous nature as to be unbecoming the character of an officer and a gentleman, and so be thr ground for a Court-Martial and on conviction lead to subsequent cashiering. If Lieut. Kaipara chooses to make any statement explanation or admission please accept it and forward it to me.'
Minute, OC Auckland Military District, to Headquarters, NZ Military Forces, Wellington, 1 December 1916, 1 December 1916: 'The above named Officer was informed of the charges contained in your memo. and the seriousness of his position. Mr Kaipara admitted that he lived with Mrs McKay in adultery from 1908 to the time of his departure with the Maori Contingent, further he admitted that three children have been born of this union, only one child is living. Since his return to duty at Narrow Neck he has refrained from living in adultery, but acts of adultery are committed when Mrs McKay visits Auckland with his child, these visits are not frequent. The position is at present not a public scandal but I consider this officer be medically boarded to ascertain his fitness for active service and if fit I recommend his early despatch with a Maori Reinforcement.'
Embarked Wellington, 2 January 1917; disembarked Devonport, England, 27 March 1917; attached to strength of Pioneer Bn, Sling Camp, 28 March 1917.
Proceeded overseas to France, 2 June 1917; posted to Pioneer Bn, in the field, 12 May 1917.
Killed in action, 9 August 1917.
Father: Takawhata Pitara Kaipara; Wife: Hina Katerina Kaipara. Commemorated on the Arawa Tribal Roll of Honour, Rotorua
Son of Takawhata Pitara Kaipara; husband of Hina Katerina Kaipara
Ex-1st Maori Contingent. See other entry for first period of service.
Next of Kin: c/o Mrs A McKay, Aberdeen Rd, Gisborne (Roll of Honour, Auckland Province 1914-1918 (Volume 1)) AWMM - MAORI CONTINGENT LETTER FROM LIEUT KAIPARA.
HOW THE MAORIS ESCAPED FROSTBITE,
The many friends of Lieut. A. P. Kaipara, the well-known New Zealand footballer, will be pleased to learn that he has been able to resume duty after his severe illness. In a letter to Mr E. E. H. Hooper, he states "Just a few minutes before going on duty, I pen this short letter to acquaint you that I am back at duty. You have learnt from newspapers the general news of the part played in this great War by the Maori troops. I commence my letter from the date of evacuation of Gallipoli Peninsula by the Allied troops after due consideration by Lord riitchener and the report of General Sir Charles Monro to the British Cabinet to that end. The manoeuvre had to be carried out secretly and in quick time. The military authorities estimated a loss of 7000 men in order to carry out evacuation successfully. However, as it is all over now, we are very fortunate in having a casualty list of five men killed only. Of course, it was a dangerous, and a huge undertaking, devolving on the shoulders of General Birdwood, the then Commander-in-Chief of the Gallipoli campaign. Each battalion was withdrawn without a hitch: lt was a great undertaking. The Maoris, two officers, and 135 men returned as one body with the Otago Battalion to Mudros East; Lemnos Island, about 40 miles from Gallipoli Peninsula, where Lieut. J. C. Tikao and I with 18 men, are to rejoin them for duty. The anxiety of gun and rifle fire were dispelled for a time, the troops were quite cheerful and contented. They had quite a trying time for a duration of three weeks; I under snow, sleet, and rain, with a moderate ration of three biscuits a day per man and one bully per three men. To prove the severity of the winter, 5000 cases of pakehas with frostbite— but not a single Maori suffered—were invalided back to Mudros Hospital, England, Alexandria, and Malta.. It was a strange sight to see healthy and stout men bound up in bandages from head to foot. The Maoris, being sons of Nature, instinctively adapted themselves to circumstances. They were and are enjoying good health, they were the most cheerful unit that returned. They play Rugby (with a Soccer ball) and sing in their tents and on route marches. The undermentioned are Gisborne boys who returned from Gallipoli during the evacuation Second Lieut. E. R. Broughton (of Hawkes Bay), Sergts. Kahutia te Hau and Thomas Halbert, Lance-Sergt. Richard Hale (of Tolaga Bay), Corpls Honeycombe, T P. Sidney, M. Heany, Wiremu Kingi and Wiremu Kouka, Privates Rawiri Grant, Karawia Kingi, Piana Pera, Hekiera T Tantuhi, and Tihema te Puni (left at Lemnos in hospital with a bad eye). Please convey to the parents, guardians, and relatives of the killed and wounded, of those who have died from wounds or illness, my deepest sympathy. Of course, Corporal T Carroll was killed a few days before the evacuation. My condolences to Sir James and Lady Carroll, as well as the Pohatus. Kei te ora matau enei morehu ate mataa". The writer asks that the Gisborne Maori committee be thanked, for the manner in which they had helpedPublic - Lorraine M - Researcher - 9 February 2016 - Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13935, 7 March 1916, Page 3 - 12 Nov 1917
IN A TIGHT CORNER.
HOW LIEUT. KAIPARA. AND HIS COMRADES FELL.
Corporal Walter Heany, of the N.Z. Pioneers, writing to his mother, Mrs. Donald Gordon, of Gisborne, gives the first details that have been received respecting the death of Lieut. S A.P Kaipara and a number of other East Coast members of the Pioneers. The writer explains that the battalion went out wiring a stronghold that the New Zealanders had taken from the Germans. Fritz had made things very warm for them since, Corporal Heany remarks. The Pioneers got to within 100 yards of where they had to erect the entanglements, when Fritz opened up on them. The boys halted for it awhile, and then moved through shell fire to their sector. Shells were thrown all around them, and machine gun fire was turned on, this being about 1.3O a.m. The writer, details the circumstances under which Bill Morris, of Gisborne (wounded), was carried out to, the dressing station. On the way back they were up to their waists in mud, and Fritz concentrated fire on them, thus delaying them a good deal. The shells were bashing in the trenches and ploughing through the mud in the shell fire was a trying experience. Patience, however, got them through safely, though they were all fairly exhausted. Lieut. Kaipara rushed along and requested them 'to go back for Ehau, another Gisbornite who was wounded in the leg. As there was no one else he and his mate went back again with Kaipara. They were fairly beaten, and shells were falling worse than ever. Kaipara kept urging them to hurry, but they were so done up they could hardly for dear life lift their legs out of the boggy ground. Frequently they had to put the stretcher down, and then shells would burst near them, the concussion knocking them over in the mud. Eventually his mate dragged himself back to get fresh men, and he could hear Ehau calling "Come on, Heany" but he was completely knocked up. It was then that Kaipara dropped, shot through the head by a piece of shell. The writer went on to say that he had simply to lie down in the mud with the pathetic words still ringing in his ears and cursing himself for being unable to carry on. Subsequently he managed to drag himself out and to get fresh men to carry the wounded out. Two nights later they went out again to dig a trench and about midnight Fritz poured shells into them again. One shell came into the trench and killed Viv Ruru and another chap who had just joined up, besides wounding Trotter and Maharangi Pohatu. Heany was placed in charge to carry Trotter down to the dressing station, where he learned than Kaa, the Ngati Porou officer was killed, also Winiana and Dick Hale (corporal of the section). The party was carrying out one of the fellows (killed), when a shell landed right in the middle of them. With an officer, the writer went back and found their bodies, which were brought in and laid to rest. All were Gisborne and Coast boys. Donald Cameron was killed the same night as Kaipara. The casualties during the two nights were Killed, Lieutenants P Kaa, Kaipara, Cameron, and MacNeil, Corporal Hale, Privates V. Ruru, A. Kopua, Winiana. wounded: -Lieutenant J Ehau, Privates R. Trotter. W. Morris, Manuel, M. Pohatu, and P KingiPublic - Lorraine M - Researcher - 20 July 2015 - Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14452, 12 November 1917, Page 7
- Autini Kaipara was the son of Takawhata Pitara Kaipara; husband of Hina Katerina Kaipara.
About death
- Death
- 4 Aug 1917 AWMM
Age 30 AWMM - Date of death
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- Age at death
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- Place of death
- La Basse-Ville (Warneton), BelgiumPublic - Dominique GJM - Researcher - 2 November 2025 - La Basse-Ville 1917: New Zealand Voices from Flanders Fields, 2016, p 301
- La Basse-Ville (Warneton), BelgiumPublic - Dominique GJM - Researcher - 2 November 2025 - La Basse-Ville 1917: New Zealand Voices from Flanders Fields, 2016, p 301
- La Basse-Ville (Warneton), Belgium
- Cause of death
- Killed in Action AWMM
- Death notes
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- Cemetery
- Prowse Point Military Cemetery, Commines-Warneton, Hainaut, Belgium AWMM III. A. 26. AWMM
- Cemetery name
- Prowse Point Military CemeteryPublic - Dominique GJM - Researcher - 2 November 2025 - common knowledge
- Prowse Point Military CemeteryPublic - Dominique GJM - Researcher - 2 November 2025 - common knowledge
- Prowse Point Military Cemetery
- Grave reference
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- Obituary
- ROLL OF HONOR. - Many in Gisborne will regret' to learn of the death of 2nd Lieutenant A. P. Kaipara, who was in yesterday's casualty list to have been killed in action. Lieutenant Kaipara left Gisborne with the main Maori force, but owing to an attack of enteric he was invalided home early last year. After spending a few months at his home. in Rotorua, where his parents reside, he returned. to the front. Educated at St. Patrick's College, Wellington, Lieutenant Kaipara came to Gisborne some years ago, and was Law Clerk in the office of Mr H. J. Finn, and at the time of enlistment he was Native interpreter in the office of Kirk, Burnard arid Sievwright. Of a kindly and jovial disposition, 'Terry', as he was more affectionately known amongst his friends, was very popular and highly esteemed by all who knew him. Lieutenant Kaipara was widely known in Rugby Football circles, being recognised as one of the crack Five-eights players in N.Z. For many years he filled a position Poverty Bay Representative teams, and on two occasions he represented North Island 'against South Island. As a member of Mr. Parata's Maori team that toured Australia Lieut. Kaipara earned the name of "India Rubber Man".Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 8 December 2024 - ROLL OF HONOR. - Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14376, 15 August 1917, Page 3
- The latest casualty list includes the name of Lieut. A. P. Kaipara, killed in action. He was regarded less than ten years ago as one of the most brilliant footballers in the Dominion. He was a Poverty Bay and North Island representative, and a member of the 1910 Native team that toured Australia.Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 8 December 2024 - Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 3319, 15 August 1917, Page 2
- ROLL OF HONOR. - Many in Gisborne will regret' to learn of the death of 2nd Lieutenant A. P. Kaipara, who was in yesterday's casualty list to have been killed in action. Lieutenant Kaipara left Gisborne with the main Maori force, but owing to an attack of enteric he was invalided home early last year. After spending a few months at his home. in Rotorua, where his parents reside, he returned. to the front. Educated at St. Patrick's College, Wellington, Lieutenant Kaipara came to Gisborne some years ago, and was Law Clerk in the office of Mr H. J. Finn, and at the time of enlistment he was Native interpreter in the office of Kirk, Burnard arid Sievwright. Of a kindly and jovial disposition, 'Terry', as he was more affectionately known amongst his friends, was very popular and highly esteemed by all who knew him. Lieutenant Kaipara was widely known in Rugby Football circles, being recognised as one of the crack Five-eights players in N.Z. For many years he filled a position Poverty Bay Representative teams, and on two occasions he represented North Island 'against South Island. As a member of Mr. Parata's Maori team that toured Australia Lieut. Kaipara earned the name of "India Rubber Man".
- Memorial name
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- Memorial reference
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Memorial
- Memorial name
- Rotorua War Memorial (World War 1) AWMM
- Auckland War Memorial Museum, World War 1 Hall of Memories AWMM
Related objects
Sources
- External links
- Military personnel file
https://collections.archives.govt.nz/web/arena/search/#/entity/aims-archive/R18055217
Further Reference - Other military personnel file
https://collections.archives.govt.nz/web/arena/search/#/entity/aims-archive/R7880280
Further Reference - New Zealand Electronic Collection topic page
http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/name-130556.html
Further Reference - Casualty Department Nominal Rolls of Service Personnel Returning to New Zealand Index, Auckland Council Archives
http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/dbtw-wpd/CityArchives/FamilyHistory/ACC080/searchnominal.htm
Further Reference - A Street Near You record
https://astreetnearyou.org/person/445504/-
Further Reference - Commonwealth War Graves Commission Casualty record
https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/445504
Further Reference - Cowan, J. (1926). The Maoris in the Great War. Auckland, N.Z.: Maori Regimental Committee by Whitcombe & Tombs.
https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/webarchive/20201108000000/https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-CowMaor.html
Further Reference - New Zealand War Graves Trust
https://www.nzwargraves.org.nz/
Further Reference
- Military personnel file
- References
- Pugsley, C. (1995). Te Hokowhitu a Tu : the Maori Pioneer Battalion in the first World War. Auckland, N.Z.: Reed.
- New Zealand Army Expeditionary Force. (1914-1919). Nominal Rolls of New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Volume I. Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
Vol1: 382 - New Zealand Army Expeditionary Force. (1917). Nominal Rolls of New Zealand Expeditionary Force Volume II. Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
49: 22 - NZ Catholic: the national Catholic newspaper
NZ Catholic Staff. (2009). Heroic East Coast officer led troops in battle and faith in World War 1. April 19 - May 2, p. 5. - New Zealand. Army. 1st Maori Contingent. Scroll of the 1st New Zealand Maori Contingent, 1915. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS-624.
- NZEF Peter Dennis, UNSW Canberra
- NZEF Peter Dennis, UNSW Canberra
- Beattie, P.J. & Pomeroy, M. (2013-2020). Onward : portraits of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (vols 1-5). Auckland, New Zealand: Fair Dinkum Publications
Vol. 1: Includes portrait - Soutar, M. (2019). Whitiki! Whiti! Whiti! E!: Maori In the First World War. New Zealand: David Bateman Ltd.
- Roll of Honour, Auckland Province (digital copy), 1914 - 1919. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS-2016-2.
- Cowan, J. (1926). The Maoris in the Great War. Auckland, N.Z.: Maori Regimental Committee by Whitcombe & Tombs.
- Waite, F. (1919). The New Zealanders at Gallipoli. Auckland, N.Z.: Printed and published under Authority of the New Zealand Government by Whitcombe & Tombs.
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