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Wiremu "Bill" Whareaitu (15 August 1912 − 3 April 1973) was a New Zealand swimmer, who represented his country at the 1934 British Empire Games in London.

Wiremu Whareaitu

Personal information
Born	(1912-08-15)15 August 1912 New Zealand
Died	3 April 1973(1973-04-03) (aged 60) New Zealand
Spouse(s)	Katarina Riripeti Riripotaka ​ ​ (m. 1935)​
Sport
Country	New Zealand
Sport	Swimming
Achievements and titles
National finals	150 yds backstroke, 1st (1934)

Whareaitu was the national 150 yards backstroke champion in 1934,[1] and travelled to the Empire Games in London that year as part of the three-strong New Zealand swimming team. At those games he finished fourth in his heat of the 100 yards backstroke and did not progress. He reached the final of the 3 x 110 yards medley relay with teammates Noel Crump and Len Smith, finishing fifth.[2]

Of Te Arawa and Tūhourangi descent,[3] Whareaitu served with the 28th (Māori) Battalion during World War II,[4] and competed in the battalion's team at the New Zealand Division swimming championships at Maadi, Egypt in September 1943.[5] In May 1945 he was commissioned as a second lieutenant.[6]

Whareaitu died in 1973 and was buried at Kauae Cemetery, Ngongotahā.[7]

References

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