Ike Robin

Who was Ike Robin?

Ihakara Te Tuku Rapana, MBE was a New Zealand sportsman, businessman, orator and member for the Maori Anglican Church. A champion sheep shearer and professional wrestler, commonly known as Ike Robin, he was the first national heavyweight champion recognised by the National Wrestling Association and successfully defended the title against some of the top stars of the Gold Dust Trio-era, most notably, Stanislaus Zbyszko in 1926. Over 40 years after his death, he was ranked #7 in a top ten list of New Zealand's greatest wrestlers by Fight Times Magazine in 2009.

As a lay reader of the Anglican church he was closely associated with many prominent members of the clergy, such as Bishop Frederick Bennett, and other notable figures as Te Puea Herangi and Sir Turi Carroll. He was also an elder of the Ngati Kahungunu and especially active in charity work and philanthropy on behalf of the Maori people. His efforts were recognized and was awarded the Order of the British Empire.