Hoani Retimana Waititi (12 April 1926 – 30 September 1965) was a notable New Zealand teacher, educationalist and community leader. Of Māori descent, he identified with the Te Whānau-ā-Apanui iwi. He was born in Whangaparaoa near Cape Runaway, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, in 1926. His father was Kūaha Waititi, a farmer, and his mother was Kirimātao Heremia Kerei, both of them of the Te Whānau-a-Kauaetangohia hapū of Te Whānau-ā-Apanui. He trained as a teacher in 1947–48 and gained a BA at in 1955. He worked as a teacher and in other areas of education. He died of cancer at the age of 39.^[1] Hoani Waititi Marae in West Auckland is named in his honour. June Mariu is his niece, the daughter of his older brother Manihera. Rawiri Waititi is his great-nephew.^[2]