Gugi Waaka

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]