"Another promising young member of the Maori, Mr Wirernu (Meta) Hotene of Ohope, passed away recently at the Whakatane Hospital. The late Mr Hotenewho was 26 years of age and a returned soldier of the Maori Battalion was born at Whakatane. He was schooled at Paroa and later at the Whakatane High School where he gained some prominence on the Rugby field as a promising halfback. Later he represented Poroporo. After spending some years on hist father's farm he. enlisted and went overseas in time to take part in the great offensive at El Alamein  and the subsequent victories which culminated in the declaration of peacei He was wounded at Cassino and was repatriated home. His health remained indifferent thereafter and one year after his arrival in tills country he died after an illness of three months."

[Bay of Plenty Beacon, Issue 8, 31 July 1945, Page 5]