Wiremu HÃÂkopa Toa Te ÃÂwhitu (28 July 1914 â 29 July 1994) was the first MÃÂori to be ordained a Roman Catholic priest. He was born at à Âkahukura, north of Taumarunui, in the central North Island, and was of NgÃÂti HÃÂuaroa (NgÃÂti HÃÂua) and NgÃÂti Maniapoto descent. After his ordination in 1944 he worked at à Âtaki in 1945 and 1946 and then in Hawke's Bay for 11 years. He suffered a stroke in 1958 and spent several years recuperating. He resumed ministry in Taranaki in 1966. He moved to Jerusalem on the Whanganui River in 1968 and spent 21 years there, including the period when poet James K. Baxter lived there and attended his church services. He retired to à Âkahukura in 1989.