Inia Te Wiata - Formal Musical Training and Career

Formal Musical Training and Career

Te Wiata worked hard at his craft. In addition to his studies at Trinity College he also took private lessons from James Kennedy Scott and language lessons at the Berlitz School of Languages. In order to gain more experience with opera he joined the opera company run by the great English soprano Joan Cross and had a resounding success with his portrayal of Sarastro from Mozart's The Magic Flute. As the end of the three year study grant was approaching, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Peter Fraser, visited England and Te Wiata took the opportunity to apply for a grant for a fourth year. This was successful.

Nearing the end of his grant, Te Wiata decided to audition for the Covent Garden Opera Company. He was successful in his audition and was told to turn up for rehearsal the next day. He was launched into his first role in the Opera Company as the Speaker in The Magic Flute. He went from strength to strength, taking parts in operas The Marriage of Figaro, La bohème, Billy Budd and Gloriana - the parts for the last two being specially written for him by Benjamin Britten.

As his reputation grew, Te Wiata was also approached to perform in television and film productions. He appeared in a number of films including Man of the Moment (1955) and In Search of the Castaways (1962); and also took the lead in the film The Seekers (1954). He took part in a number of television series. He did not restrict himself to singing in pure opera but also starred in musicals including The Most Happy Fella.

In 1959 he married Beryl McMillan, also a singer and actor, and they had one daughter Rima Te Wiata born in 1965. Beryl gave up acting after her marriage, to concentrate on managing Te Wiata's career.

While Te Wiata returned to New Zealand periodically, he did not settle there but continued with his singing career in the United Kingdom, living in London and creating a life there with his wife and child. Te Wiata was a popular man and had a large circle of friends and acquaintances including the comedian Spike Milligan. Te Wiata remained extremely fond of New Zealand and talked of returning there on his retirement. He maintained close links with New Zealand House in London, attending and singing at the opening of the House in 1963 and also working in the basement of New Zealand House on carving projects. He carved a fine waka huia for Sir Thomas Macdonald, New Zealand's High Commissioner, to present to the Worshipful Company of Butchers on Macdonald's departure from London. Te Wiata also had a long-term project carving five very large totara logs. He continued working on this project in between his professional obligations but was unable to complete the work Pouihi before his death from cancer in 1971.

Te Wiata's funeral was held at Otaki Pa, New Zealand and the event was photographed by the New Zealand photographer, Ans Westra.

Te Wiata's archive of papers is held by the National Library of New Zealand.

In November 2007, a commemorative CD / DVD was published containing previously unreleased recordings as well as a documentary film of his carving and an interview of Spike Milligan.