My Account
1 February 1948 – 30 October 2022
The fact that Te Haki (Jack) Ripia touched many people’s lives, from many walks of life, was evident when his memorial service was held at the Mahurangi East Community Centre on November 11. Tributes were paid by the Mahurangi East Fire Brigade, Warkworth Police, Mahurangi College, Mahurangi East Library, Mahurangi Rugby Club and Springboard, as well as whanau. Former employer Al Mason, who could not be present, sent words of sympathy, which acknowledged Jack’s work ethic. While each tribute painted a slightly different picture of Jack, the common themes were pride in his Ngapuhi ancestry, warmth and friendliness, compassion, a keen sense of humour and a good appetite. He was described as a man with mana.
Jack grew up on a farm at Ngawha, in the Bay of Islands, the youngest of 17 children and the only one to be born in hospital. According to family members, there were no luxuries in Jack’s early life. Fields were ploughed with a horse-drawn plough, the “fridge” was the nearby creek and baths were taken in the drains fed by geothermal streams. Eight of his siblings never survived to adulthood, succumbing to diseases such as polio and diphtheria. His whanau remembered him as a “cheeky kid who was a little spoilt and never short of a whare to stay in. He grew up knowing he was loved”.
His working life started at a supermarket in Kawakawa and then he moved around for a few years, before finally settling in Warkworth about 50 years ago. At various times, he worked for the power board, drove trucks, was a courier for the Rodney Times, a caretaker at Mahurangi College and a bus driver for Gubbs.
Mahurangi East chief fire officer Jason Connolly said it was uncanny how Jack always seemed to know when the station was having a BBQ. He became a social member of the brigade eight years ago, doing general jobs like keeping the bar stocked and helping with children’s parties. Senior Constable Hamish Buick said Jack was the sort of man that after five minutes of meeting him, you felt you’d always known him.
“He had every class of licence and could drive anything with wheels, tracks or rollers,” Buick said. “He assisted when youth offenders were brought in and was very much part of the police family.”
Former Mahurangi College teacher Kipa Rangiheuea said Jack had played a key role in the development of kapa haka at the school and the Te Whakawhitiwhiti wharenui.
“He drove the bus on countless marae and sports trips, and had the ability to have fun with the kids, but never to lose their respect.”
Librarian Fleur Coleman said Jack had helped strengthen Kaupapa Maori at the library and was the instigator of the first Matariki hangi at Mahurangi East Library. Mahurangi Rugby club president Chris Jujnovich acknowledged Jack’s long and loyal contribution to the club, whether it was hanging doors, stepping in as club captain or sorting out skirmishes on the sideline.
“He was the ultimate gentleman and gave fantastic service to the club,” he said.
Springboard founder Gary Diprose said Jack had been one of the organisation’s earliest supporters, recognising the need to champion young people who were not having an easy time. “He was a natural encourager, and always generous with his knowledge and his time,” Diprose said.
Jack’s ashes were transported from the community centre to the Mahurangi Rugby Club by a fire truck with a police escort, where a more informal farewell was held.
Jack died at home of a suspected heart attack, leaving behind daughters Rochelle and Justine, and three grandchildren.
