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.
Gugi Waaka | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Hore Wiremu Waaka |
| Born | (1937-08-01)1 August 1937 Whakatāne, New Zealand |
| Origin | New Zealand |
| Died | 5 July 2014(2014-07-05) (aged 76) Auckland, New Zealand |
| Genres | Māori show band |
| Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 1960–2014 |
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]