Born in Tuahiwi on 27th August in 1908 he was the only child of Eruera and Ani Te Aika. His school years were at Tuahiwi Primary School and then one year at Rangiora High School. The family were Church of England, but converted to Catholicism and Iwi then went to St Bedes College in Christchurch as a boarder for three years.

In January 1928, Iwikau at a young age before his twentieth birthday, married Doll (Harriet Mirimata Grenell). Over the next decade which was during the depression years of the 1930s they raised seven children.

World War ll broke out and Iwikau’s escapades during those years were interesting. There  is a tale of of him losing his pants whilst descending by parachute. He was a member of the Caterpillar Club where his membership depended on ones life being saved by a parachute.

Iwikau’s military career began in the army when Europe was aflame with the war. He apparently stated his age and total number of children as less than actual in order to qualify. Family legend says someone informed the army on the true facts and he got the royal boot. Next he applied successfully to join the Air Force and was sent to Canada to be trained. When the authorities again found out the truth about his number of children it was too late. Canada had prepared and readied him and he was needed in England.

Iwikau served in the 75th Squadron on Stirling and Lancaster aircrafts. Iwikau flew many successful missions as the rear gunner on the Horgan Crew. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. When asked if he had been scared when facing enemy planes and guns he answered; “Yes! You become a fatalist though and when you were lucky enough to get back from a bombing raid we tried to blot out the ugly things we did and the nightmare we sometimes lived, by drinking ‘til we got blotto.”

Horgan Crew, 1944 75(NZ) Squadron, 

By the time the war ended Iwikau was back in New Zealand. He received an invitation to participate in a Victory Parade through the streets of London to fete their heroes. Iwikau returned once more to England to march with the warriors of Tumatauenga as they accepted the accolades of a grateful country.

Information source and credit: Brent Kemp & Lynne Te Aika