Paiwei Family

The Paiwei family of the 26th century was a family known most for their military service, culminating most in Waimarie Paiwei, a decorated Human-Covenant War special forces soldier. The Paiwei family had maintained a long standing tradition of public service over the course of several centuries, both as civilian leadership, teaching, policing, but often military service. Nikau Paiwei, father of Waimarie, instilled this fervor for service as children when he spoke of the family's warrior history, claiming that the family had served in "every conflict placed before them."

Early History
The Paiwei family is a majority ethnic Maori, with some English ancestry. Tracing their lineage to the Ngāi Tahu Iwi (or tribe) of the South Island of New Zealand. All members of the Ngāi Tahu are able to trace their traditional lineage to Tahupōtiki of the Ngāti Porou. As of the 26th century, the Paiwei family had lived in New Zealand for roughly 1200 years.

The first physical record of the Paiwei family comes in the 18 century, from one Anaru Paewai's marriage certificate to Hine Kahuarangi. At this time, the Paiwei's name was still spelled "Paewai". While both spellings are pronounced the same, "Paiwei" appears to be a clerical error from the early 20th century that the family kept, originating when one Joseph Paiwei enlisted in the first World War. Joseph Paiwei would be injured in Europe, losing an arm and leg when hit by a grenade. His biography "Te Hokowhitu toa: My Sacrifice and Pain" has been a favorite of Pioneer Battalion aficionados for several centuries as a very visceral and frank solider's account.