Sunday 26 October 2008 is an auspicious and historic day for Te Rangihouhiri II hapu and the community of Paroa. 

 At 5.30am this morning before the dawn sun warmed the earth Pouroto Ngaropo, Wi Parata Tawa, Hemana Eruera and Tuhapo Tipene led a large group of whanau in the opening of Te Rangihouhiri II wharenui with nga karakia tawhito me Te Haahi Ringatu. 

Since the time of the raupatu in 1866 Te Rangihouhiri II hapu and Ngati Hikakino have been supported on the lands of Taiwhakaea II at Paroa.  The three hapu converged together at Otamauru in the post raupatu era until 1904 when the decision to move Taiwhakaea II to its present location was made.  Te Rangihouhiri II remained derelict until Mere Tahei Hepeta and Aukuhata Kingi determined that the tipuna would rise again at Paroa.  Then in 1921 Te Rangihouhiri II wharenui was opened and later set aside as a marae and meeting place for the hapu in 1926.  After many years of discussion, hui and wananga a further decision was made to rebuild Te Rangihouhiri II and this was completed in September 1998.

The decision to open Te Rangihouhiri II over Labour weekend had been made at the July 2008 hui of the marae trustees and committee to enable the women of the hapu to enter the wharenui and assist with its completion.  It would also mean that finally the hapu would have a base from which to work, hold hui and support the reconstruction of the marae.  Events were assisted with the hura kohatu for brothers Nohotahi and Petera Pile held the day before.  Many had traveled from far and wide to tautoko what will be a long awaited renaissance for Te Rangihouhiri II. 

Representatives of many Ngati Awa hapu added further dignity to the ocassion including Mickey Taylor, Arron Smith, Charlie Bluett, Adrian Jaram and Hemana Eruera of Ngai Tamawera, Ngai Tamapare, Ngati Rangataua, Ngati Pukeko, Ngati Hokopu, Ngati Wharepaia, Tuariki-Te Tawera, Te Pahipoto, Warahoe and Te Kahupake.  Whanau from Taiwhakaea II, Hikakino and Te Tawera also supported the day with their presence and assistance, along with Toby Westrupp, principal of Te Paroa School.  The passing of many from the marae committee and trustees of the current generation was also acknowledged with reference to the input and participation for many years of Whainoa Simpson, Ronnie Wineti, Rewi Ruru Kingi, Nohotahi Pile, Te Hau Tutua, Mahiti Wilson and John Simpson.  The hapu were without doubt grateful and humbled by the attendance of so many manuhiri and Ngati Awa hapu.  Following the opening ceremonies the manuhiri were invited to partake of an early morning breakfast and retired to Puawairua Marae for that purpose.

Given the delays in opening following the building's construction some years ago, the hapu resolved to move quickly and hold the first hui in Te Rangihouhiri II at 10.00am, which was also well attended.  The hui agreed that work on completing the wharenui would proceed at the earliest opportunity and would include a fully carved interior.  Further discussion of the building project was then deferred to the annual general hui to be held at the end of November.  That meeting was then followed by a land owners' hui for a number of Te Rangihouhiri II whanau including Simpson, Wineti and Wahapango-Kingi.

Many thanks were offered to Junior Niao for assisting with the whakairo that had commenced with Hare Reneti under the watchful gaze of Te Hau Tutua, ably assisted by several whanau including Tureimaaka Wahapango, Te Oneone Hona and Sam Tutua.  The generous financial support of John & Christine Wilson in supporting the whakairo and for commissioning the beautiful leadlight windows was acknowledged.  Support from Te Puni Kokiri, New Zealand Lotteries Grants Board, Te Paroa Lands Trust and Creative New Zealand for the wharenui project was also noted with thanks.

While the formal opening of the entire marae complex is some time away the first steps in reaching that destination have now been taken.

It is with much sadness that I record the passing of John Simpson on 5 October 2008 at Hamilton after a brief illness.  John was a well known figure in many circles including Maori broadcasting, the public service and within iwi.  For Te Rangihouhiri II John had been a committee member, Te Runanga o Ngati Awa representative since 2002 and since December 2007 secretary to the marae committee and trustees.

Affiliated to a number of tribes within Tairawhiti, John spent much of his time in Ngati Awa serving as a member of Te Runanga o Ngati Awa for Te Rangihouhiri II hapu, Ngati Awa ki Poneke Committee, the Ngati Awa Health Committee, Te Rangihouhiri II Marae Committee and the Rotoehu Forest Trust. 

More than any of these John was perhaps most visibly associated with Te Reo Irirangi o Te Manuka Tutahi Trust and in recent years, Pu Kaea newspaper.  He spent 15 years as firstly an employee and then a trustee of the station playing the central role in establishing its reputation as a leading broadcaster of te reo Maori.  The station won several awards for best Maori broadcast and this was directly attributable to John’s painstaking and sometimes trying attention to detail and quality.  His knowledge of the IT industry also served the station well and he was called on regularly for his expertise and advice. 

Outside of Ngati Awa John served on many committees, trusts, boards and companies, all involved in some way with Maori development.  To the last John was a die hard Maori Party supporter and so it was unsurprising that three of their four MPs attended his tangi.  John served his hapu and iwi to the best of his abilities and innumerable talents. 

All his hapu within Ngati Awa including Taiwhakaea II, Hikakino, Te Tawera and Te Rangihouhiri II will all miss his lightening wit, remorseless intelligence and affable good humour in the long and lonely days yet to come.