Howard Morrison

Of Māori (Te Arawa), Irish, and Scottish descent,{{

cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10351623|title=Howard Morrison a knight in full voice|work=The New Zealand Herald|first=Amanda|last=Spratt|date=23 October 2005|access-date=28 March 2010}} Morrison was born to Temuera Leslie Morrison, a Māori All Black who worked for the Māori Affairs Department, and Kahurangi Morrison (née Gertrude Harete Davidson) who was known for her work in culture and entertainment.{{cite web |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2898355/Sir-Howard-Morrison-obituary |title=Sir Howard Morrison obituary |date=24 September 2009 |work=Stuff.co.nz |access-date=3 October 2011}}

Morrison grew up in Rotorua and in Ruatahuna near Waikaremoana. He attended a "native school" in the Urewera before going to Te Aute College and Rotorua Boys' High School.{{

cite web|url=http://www.muzic.net.nz/artists/1533/bio.html|title=Sir Howard Morrison > Bio|work=Music.net.nz|access-date=29 March 2010}}{{

cite web|url=http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/people/howard-morrison|title=Howard Morrison|work=Ministry for Culture and Heritage|publisher=New Zealand History online|date=9 October 2009|access-date=29 March 2010}}{{

cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10600238|title=Sir Howard Morrison laid to rest|work=The New Zealand Herald|first1=James|last1=Ihaka|first2=Edward|last2=Gay|date=29 September 2009|access-date=30 March 2010}} After leaving school he had a variety of manual jobs including survey chainman, electricity meter reader and storeman at the Whakatu freezing works.

Morrison and his three surviving sisters, Judy Tapsell, Rene Mitchell and Linda Morrison, lost their oldest brother Laurie in 1974. Another brother, Charlie, died in infancy and youngest sister Atareta Maxwell died suddenly in January 2007 from a heart attack. Their mother Kahurangi died in 1995, and their father Temuera when they were young.

{{cite web|url=http://www.rotoruadailypost.co.nz/local/news/morrison-sisters-anguish/3904649/|title=Morrison sisters' anguish|work=Rotorua Daily Post|first=Jill|last=Nicholas|date=28 September 2009|access-date=30 March 2010}}

File:Howard Morrison Quartet at the Crystal Palace Ballroom, Mt Eden Road, 1959 (cropped).jpg in 1959]]

In 1955, Morrison assembled vocal groups to entertain at Rotorua rugby club socials, and the following year, won the 1956 Rotorua Soundshell Talent Quest with the original Howard Morrison Quartet members and their extended whānau, leading him to decide to pursue music as a career.Tebbutt, Leah. (8 March 2019). [https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/remembering-soundshell-a-building-of-many-purposes/T4IHCOBP2Z5Y3L45AL63UPDRVI/ 'Remembering Soundshell: A building of many purposes']. Rotorua Daily Post.[https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2900386/Maori-warriors-lead-Sir-Howard-Morrisons-whanau 'Maori warriors lead Sir Howard Morrison's whānau']. Stuff (website). In the same year, Morrison was a member of the successful Aotearoa Concert Party that toured Australia. In this group was Gerry Merito who with Morrison formed the Ohinemutu Quartet which was later renamed "Howard Morrison Quartet". Other original members of the quartet were Morrison's brother Laurie and his cousin John, but they left and were replaced by Wi Wharekura and Noel Kingi{{cite web|url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/volcanic-plateau-region/7/4|title=The Howard Morrison Quartet|work=Te Ao Hou|date=March 1962|access-date=22 May 2010}} who were fixtures in the quartet at its heights. In 1966 he appeared in the John O'Shea film Don't Let It Get You. From 1977 to 1989 he was spokesman, often with Ray Woolf[https://www.nzonscreen.com/profile/ray-woolf 'Ray Woolf']. 8 June 2022. NZ on Screen for Bic products such as lighters and pens, appearing in many television commercials for the brand.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X07Bbuax_EIJ "Bic Flik!" Ad (circa 1988)']. YouTube.[https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/9149411/New-Zealand-gets-the-flick-from-Bic 'New Zealand gets the flick from Bic']. Stuff (website)

Following Morrison’s Royal Command Performance for Queen Elizabeth II in 1981, the hymn "How Great Thou Art" (Whakaaria Mai) became his de facto theme song for the latter part of his career, after a recording of it by Morrison became one of the country's biggest selling singles, spending five weeks at No 1 on the New Zealand charts.[https://nzhistory.govt.nz/people/howard-morrison Howard Morrison - How Great Thou Art]. History of New Zealand. nzhistory.govt.nz official site. From 1970 to 1983, Morrison hired as his musical director, Wayne Senior whose orchestral arrangement of "How Great Thou Art" featured in the 'Howard Morrison Special' concert he conducted at Founders Theatre in 1982.[https://sounz.org.nz/contributors/23 Wayne Senior]. SouNZ Centre for New Zealand Music: sounz.org.nz official website.[https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/howard-morrison-special-hamilton-1982/credits 'Howard Morrison Special - Hamilton']. NZ on Screen. In the same year, Morrison toured New Zealand with his 5-piece Rotorua Māori showband led by bassist Bundy Waitai,[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvDZdfZscdg 'Tama Renata WORKSHOP at the 24hr Telethon 1980s']. Performing with Bundy Waitai (Bass) and Dale Renata (Drums). YouTube.[https://tautokofm.com/videos/bundy-waitai-he-whakaputanga/ 'Te Reo o Ngā Manu Tioro - Bundy Waitai']. 2022 Radio interview: Te Whakaruruhau o Ngā Reo Irirangi Māori. that included Pākehā keyboards player Derek Williams, jocularly dubbed 'Albino Māori' by Morrison.Skiffington, Toni. (1 February 1997). 'Derek came out to find success and become a role model'. Page 14 (full page). The Daily Post (Rotorua, New Zealand)

Morrison was a consultant on youth development for Te Puni Kōkiri (Department Of Maori Affairs) and used his profile to improve self esteem, promote achievement and encourage participation in higher levels of learning by young Māori, visiting many schools in the process. He developed wānanga (education programmes) on marae and used his entertainment skills to promote the Tu Tangata, or ‘Stand Tall’ programme. Morrison’s nationwide Tu Tangata tour in 1979 brought the Quartet together again, with Toni Williams replacing Wi Wharekura, and the Morrison family, including Howard's mother, Kahu, joining the tour.

File:Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre 157.jpg

In 1970, he received the Benny Award from the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand Inc.{{cite web|url=http://www.vacnz.com/bennyaward/|title=Variety Artists Club of NZ Benny Award Information and Recipients|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016033941/http://www.vacnz.com/bennyaward/|archive-date=16 October 2013}}

Morrison's profile in the Pacific Rim area was used by the New Zealand Trade Commission to help promote the region. As a result, in the 1976 New Year Honours, Morrison was appointed an officer of the Order of the British Empire, for services to entertainment,{{London Gazette |issue= 46778 |date=5 June 1964 |page=36 |supp=2}} and he was made a Knight Bachelor in the 1990 Queen's Birthday Honours, also for services to entertainment.{{London Gazette |issue=52174 |date=16 June 1990 |page=29 |suppl=2 |nolink=y}}

In March 2006, Morrison was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Waikato, joining such alumni as Janet Frame, Dame Malvina Major, Hare Puke, Tui Adams, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Neil and Tim Finn, Michael King, Margaret Mahy and Rotorua historian Don Stafford in receiving the award.{{cite web|url=http://www.rotoruadailypost.co.nz/local/news/sir-howard-outsells-michael-jackson/3903982/|title=Sir Howard outsells Michael Jackson!|work=Rotorua Daily Post|first=Cherie|last=Taylor|date=10 September 2009|access-date=30 March 2010}}

At the 2007 Creative New Zealand Te Waka Toi awards Morrison received the Te Tohu Tiketike a Te Waka Toi Award for Maori Artists.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Howard Morrison |url=https://www.nzonscreen.com/profile/howard-morrison/awards |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=NZ On Screen |language=en-NZ}}

On 14 October 2009, Morrison was selected by Te Aute College to be a part of its 1st XV leaders group at a function at Te Papa in Wellington. The honour is given to former pupils over the age of 55 who have made a significant contribution to Māori society. Morrison attended Te Aute College from 1949 to 1952.{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2964803/Lady-Morrison-says-thanks|title=Lady Morrison says thanks|work=The Dominion Post|publisher=Stuff.co.nz|first=Tim|last=Donoghue|date=15 October 2009|access-date=30 March 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2961243/Sir-Howard-in-old-schools-special-Ist-XV|title=Sir Howard in old school's special Ist XV|work=The Dominion Post|publisher=Stuff.co.nz|first=Tim|last=Donoghue|date=14 October 2009|access-date=30 March 2010}}

• 1966 Entertainer of the Year
• 1982 Variety Artists Club of New Zealand, Golden Microphone
• 1983 Feltex Awards (New Zealand) Best Television Entertainer
• 1986 Nominated for Best Performer in an Entertainment Programme: for Now is the Hour - HMV Entertainer of the Year
• 1994 New Zealand Film and Television Award for the Best Entertainment Programme for Howard Morrison: Now Is The Hour

Morrison died in his sleep from a heart attack and was found by one of his grandchildren on taking him his morning cup of tea. He died in Ohinemutu and lay in state in Tamatekapua, the premier meeting house of Te Arawa at Te Papaiouru Marae in Rotorua.{{cite web|url=http://www.rotoruadailypost.co.nz/local/news/rotorua-mourns/3904623/|title=Rotorua mourns|work=Rotorua Daily Post|first=Greg|last=Taipari|date=25 September 2009|access-date=30 March 2010}}

He was survived by his wife Rangiwhata Ann Manahi (born 1937,{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2905199/Walk-for-Sir-Howard-Morrisons-widow-on-first-day-of-tangi|title=Walk for Sir Howard Morrison's widow on first day of tangi|work=The Dominion Post|publisher=Stuff.co.nz|first=Keri|last=Welham|date=26 September 2009|access-date=30 March 2010}} married 1957) known as Lady Kuia, two sons and a daughter Donna Mariana Grant, Richard Te Tau Morrison and Howard Morrison Jr.{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10599294 |title=Sir Howard Morrison 'totara' of entertainment |work=The New Zealand Herald |first=Yvonne |last=Tahana |date=24 September 2009 |access-date=30 March 2010}} He was also uncle to movie actor Temuera Morrison and kapa haka performer Taini Morrison.

Attendees at his tangihanga (funeral) included Rotorua mayor Kevin Winter, Chinese ambassador Zhang Limin, Sir Michael Fay, MPs Tariana Turia, Georgina te Heuheu, Hekia Parata, Steve Chadwick and Rotorua MP Todd McClay, then former MP Winston Peters,{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2907412/Rain-eases-as-mourners-gather-for-Sir-Howard|title=Rain eases as mourners gather for Sir Howard|work=New Zealand Press Association|publisher=Stuff.co.nz|date=27 September 2009|access-date=30 March 2010}} Te Puni Kokiri chief executive Leith Comer and Māori king Tūheitia Paki.

Morrison was buried at Kauae Cemetery in Ngongotahā, Rotorua. His grave lies alongside those of his parents and other close whānau.{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/national-news/2915221/Haere-ra-Sir-Howard-Morrison-haere-ra|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120910210341/http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/national-news/2915221/Haere-ra-Sir-Howard-Morrison-haere-ra|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 September 2012|title=Haere ra, Sir Howard Morrison, haere ra|work=The Dominion Post|publisher=Stuff.co.nz|first=Clio|last=Francis|date=30 September 2009|access-date=30 March 2010}}

;Released on Zodiac Records

• "Po Kare Kare Ana" (1959)
• "Hawaiian Cowboy Song" (1960)

;Released on La Gloria Records

• "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" (1961)
• "George, the Wilder N.Z. Boy" (1964)

;Released on unknown label

• "Whakaaria Mai (How Great Thou Art)" (1981)List of number-one singles from the 1980s (New Zealand){{Circular reference|date=September 2016}}

;Released on Zodiac Records

• 4 – The Fabulous Howard Morrison Quartet EP (1960)
• "The Battle of the Waikato" (1960)

;Released on La Gloria Records

• Four Popular Maori Songs Volume One (1960)
• Pot-Pourri (1960)
• On Stage – Off Stage (1960)
• These Were Their Finest (1960)
• Maori Songs (1962)
• Alive! Need We Say More? (1962)
• Hits of the Road (1962)
• Mind If We Sing? (1962)
• Laugh Along EP (1964)
• Take Ten (1967)
• Born Free (1968)
• Power Game (1969)
• Return of a Legend: Joe Brown (1975)
• Morrison Magic (1979)

• Howard Morrison (1982)
• Songs of New Zealand (1985)
• Give Your Love – On Stage Off Stage (1998)
• This Is My Life (2009){{cite web|url=http://www.smokecds.com/cd/44410|title=This Is My Life|work=SmokeCDs.com|access-date=30 March 2010}}

• Once in a Lifetime: He kotuku rerenga tahi (DVD, 2009){{

cite video

| last = Morrison | first = Howard |author2=Pujji, Jasmine |author3=Wilcox, Julian |author4=Harawira, Wena

| title = Once in a Lifetime: He kotuku rerenga tahi

| medium = DVD | location = Auckland, New Zealand | publisher = Rajon Music}}{{

cite press release | date = 24 September 2009 | title = Maori Television Honours Sir Howard Morrison | url = http://media.maoritelevision.com/default.aspx?tabid=400&pid=3897 | publisher = Māori Television | access-date = 21 August 2010 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110714032346/http://media.maoritelevision.com/default.aspx?tabid=400&pid=3897 | archive-date = 14 July 2011 }}

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.muzic.net.nz/artists/1533.html Biography at Music.net.nz]
• [http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/people/howard-morrison Biography on NZHistory.net.nz]
• A number of full-length documentaries featuring Howard Morrison are available online from NZ On Screen including [http://nzonscreen.com/title/this-is-your-life-sir-howard-morrison-1989 This Is Your Life – Sir Howard Morrison (1989)]
• Pickmere, Arnold. (24 September 2009). [https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kahu/sir-howard-morrisons-obituary/EUP5K3I26Z736GVZKVVAC34LVQ/ Sir Howard Morrison's obituary]. New Zealand Herald.
• [https://www.discogs.com/artist/326873-Howard-Morrison Howard Morrison] - Discogs

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Category:1935 births

Category:2009 deaths

Howard Morrison

Category:New Zealand people of Irish descent

Category:New Zealand people of Scottish descent

Category:Singers awarded knighthoods

Category:New Zealand Knights Bachelor

Category:New Zealand Officers of the Order of the British Empire

Category:People from Rotorua

Category:People educated at Te Aute College

Category:People educated at Rotorua Boys' High School

Category:Te Arawa people

Category:Zodiac Records (New Zealand) artists

Category:New Zealand Māori musicians

Category:New Zealand Māori male singers

Category:20th-century New Zealand male singers