Charles William Haua

Mr Charles Haua B.E.M.

Mr Charlie Haua was born in 1903, son of Mr James Haua who in 1884 established a blacksmith shop in Devonport Road in partnership with Mr Parker.

Mr Haua,s grandfather was the chief, Anaru Haua whose mother while expecting him was present at the massacre on the Mount and escaped by swimming across the harbour to Sulphur Point. HIs grandmother was Mary Condron and his mother Mary Hearling of Tasmania.

After being educated at the Tauranga District High School he decided to follow in his fathers trade and trained as a blacksmith with Mr C.F. Washer and with Mr Sam Snowden. In 1926 he and his father acquired Mr Alf Davorens blacksmith shop. This shop was situated in Grey Street on a site now occupied by the Post Office Savings Bank. He worked at his trade until 1969 when he retired from active business. It was not however the end of his smithing as he set up a blacksmith shop at the old Museum in Hamilton Street and later at the Tauranga Historic Village. The blacksmiths shop at the present museum is Mr Haua's old shop . Many a young couple have been presented with a horseshoe made by Mr Haua on the occasion of their wedding.

He was also a noted sportsman being Captain of the Cadets Rugby Club and he represented the Bay of Plenty at this sport. He was also a keen hockey player.

Mr Haua was a noted rower having won in 1931 along with his friend Mr W Turner the national double sculls championship for Tauranga. He is a life member of the Tauranga Rowing Club and the Rugby Association.....

For his community work he was awarded the British Empire Medal in 1976 and it was presented to him from the Governor General Sir Dennis Blundell.....

Taken from the book Tauranga 1882-1982 The Centennial of Gazetting Tauranga as a Borough page 223