Ngai Te Rangihouhiri II - Hapu mourn loss of another leader

Affirmation of the age old cooperation between the Western hapu of Ngati Awa, Te Tawera, Hikakino and Te Rangihouhiri II will bring new purpose to the Te Awa a te Atua Tarawera Alliance. Moves to claim a mandate for the hapu in resource mangement issues without their consent have been brought to a head recently over the Tarawera river agreement signed between the two principal polluters of the river, Carter Holt Harvey Ltd and Norsge Skoge Ltd, and Ngati Awa, Tuwharetoa ki Kawerau and Ngati Rangitihi. Representatives of the three Ngati Awa hapu have made it clear to affected parties that they retain their own mandate to deal with RMA matters while recognising the role and work of Te Runanga o Ngati Awa. A formal agreement between the three hapu will be concluded in due course. An invitation to Taiwhakaea II to join the formal agreement will be also extended as part of the consultation process.

Hapu mourn loss of another leader

Written by John Simpson

Tuesday, 16 September 2008

For the second time in 3 months, Te Tokotoru i Otamauru hapu Ngai Taiwhakaea, Ngati Hikakino and Ngai Te Rangihouhiri II mourn the loss of another venerated kaumatua.

A mokopuna of Akuhata Kingi, an uri of Hira Kanawa Mahiti John Wilson, son of the late Andrew Wilson and Anahera Akuhata Kingi died peacefully at his home in Royal Oak this week.

Uncle Mahiti's life was one of unswerving devotion to task and duty. He served in a number of roles including Treaty negotiator, lawyer, public servant, airman and hapu trustee among many others. This venerated sage was not slow to offer advice and assistance to the many who sought him out. Many of his tribal and hapu colleagues today expressed their sense of sad loss at the passing of Mahiti.

Hirini Moko Mead, Chairperson of Te Runanga o Ngati Awa said today that "Mahiti was a solid, reliable and wise man. When called upon by his iwi to serve in the roles he did, he came forward willingly."

Mahiti's casket, created by his son Carin, arrived at Te Paroa Marae, Whakatane on Friday 19th September to lay on the roro of his ancestor Taiwhakaea.

He will be buried at Te Paroa Urupa on Saturday, 20th September.

E te rangatira haere. E te mokopuna o te raupatu haere, haere, haere.

Last Updated ( Friday, 19 September 2008 )

< Prev

[ Back ]

Hapu Updates

Administrator