Kellie Blizard
As a child, Rewa Harriman didn’t realise how extraordinary it was when her dad Ruka Hudson became a full-time solo father of five.
She was used to the Vietnam veteran’s practical approach, tackling life and parenting with the same discipline and dedication, which saw him excel as a soldier and embrace life to the fullest after losing both of his legs to a war injury.
But since his passing in July this year, the producer and reporter for award-winning current affairs show The Hui, finds herself reflecting on just how amazing he was and how proud he’d be of the life she’s living.
“At the time when my parents broke up, when I was seven and he kept all of us kids, I didn’t think anything of it. He was always fully involved in our family life, so it was my normal,” shares Rewa, 42.
“Even with Dad having no legs, he just did everything and we didn’t think it was anything out of the ordinary. But as I grew older, I saw how exceptional he was.”
At 27 years old, after 10 weeks in Vietnam, Ruka stood on a landmine, eventually needing both legs amputated to prevent gangrene. Following the life-changing injury, he became a respected painter and engraver.
Ruka in his army uniform.
He was deeply passionate about his children and whānau, and found great joy in reclaiming his native language and culture, learning to whatu kākahu, the time-honoured Māori craft of weaving cloaks.
“He used to say, ‘Life isn’t easy, it’s only as hard as you make it.’ He lived by that and all of his children have taken on that whakaaro [view] in our approach to life,” tells Rewa, who over the years developed an unshakeable bond and many common interests, including tennis, with her father.
Rewa largely credits Ruka’s dedication to her training to her becoming a professional player at 16.
Rewa at Wimbledon.
Speaking through tears, she shares precious memories.
“I was really lucky. Outside of being dad and daughter, we had this other thing we worked on together. At tournaments, before video analysis and data, Dad was doing the same thing, taking everything down in a notepad. He was my biggest supporter and sometimes harshest critic.”
At 20, Rewa retired from tennis, pursuing another of her father’s interests, learning te reo Māori.
“I know he was very proud of my efforts in tennis and where I got to, but he was also just as proud of me and my journey with the reo.”
A mother herself now to Atamai, 17, and Mauri, 15, with husband Dave, Rewa aims to pass on some of the parenting traits she benefitted from and is delighted her children got to experience Ruka as a grandfather.
“He was really generous and loving,” she tells. “One of his special qualities was being a man who wasn’t afraid to show his affection and love to his children and moko [grandchildren].
Back from Vietnam and on his wedding day with Rewa’s mum.
“He loved hanging out with his moko and singing alongside them with his guitar. He would joke around with them a lot and take them for rides on his electric wheelchair. Everyone loved cruising with papa along the road.”
This year, Ruka’s health took a turn, and struggling with diabetes complications and renal failure, her younger brother Tane became his full- time carer, with Rewa and her other siblings rotating helping in the weekends.
Then on July 1, surrounded by his whānau who had returned to Ōpōtiki to be by his side in his final days, Ruka passed away at home, aged 79.
“We got to be with him until his final breath,” shares a tearful Rewa. “At the end, it was getting hard for him to speak, but he was still kind of joking around. “He loved hanging out with his moko and singing alongside them with his guitar. He would joke around with them a lot and take them for rides on his electric wheelchair. Everyone loved cruising with papa along the road.”
This year, Ruka’s health took a turn, and struggling with diabetes complications and renal failure, her younger brother Tane became his full- time carer, with Rewa and her other siblings rotating helping in the weekends.
Then on July 1, surrounded by his whānau who had returned to Ōpōtiki to be by his side in his final days, Ruka passed away at home, aged 79.
“We got to be with him until his final breath,” shares a tearful Rewa. “At the end, it was getting hard for him to speak, but he was still kind of joking around.
Rewa (in yellow) with her siblings (from left) Tane (on shoulders), Maui, Naumai and Teina.
“It was the most special time to just be with him, to sing and share memories. People came to visit and it was like a tangi [funeral], but he got to experience it.”
In the months since his passing, Ruka is never far from Rewa’s thoughts and as she busily prepares for the general election and The Hui‘s special coverage of eight political debates, she’s certain he’d approve of her efforts.
“We’re hoping to provide a platform for more Māori engagement in the election, and for Māori voters to see who their candidates are, what they have to say and what they can do for them and their rohe [region],” explains Rewa.
“The biggest thing for me is trying to show people how it actually impacts their everyday life.”
This year marks Rewa’s return to The Hui for season eight after previously being with the programme for the first five seasons.
“It’s been amazing,” she enthuses. “Storytelling is absolutely what I’m passionate about.”
Watch The Hui live online Mondays at 4.30pm on newshub.co.nz or The Hui Facebook page, or on Three, Tuesdays after Newshub Late.
