MAORI CHIEF'S DEATH

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 146, 22 June 1945, Page 6

MAORI CHIEF'S DEATH

HISTORIAN OF TRIBES O.C. WHANGAREI, this day. The death has occurred at Toetoe of Piriniha Whareumu, aged 76, acknowledged chief of the Parawhau tribe, of Whangarei. He was descended from Taruau Kukupa, the celebrated warrior chief who controlled the district from Hukerenui to Mangawai and as far west as the Mangakahia River, on the banks of which he conducted under arms the last defence of his territory. Fiftysix years ago Taurau disposed of the tribal lands at Maunu and retired to Toetoe, where Whareumu was reared. In his younger days Whareumu, as chairman of the Maori Council, spent much of his time on horseback, organising village committees and introducing local laws for the well-being of his people, for whom he was principal historian. In later years he acted as official representative of his race at any important function in Whangarei. The burial, conducted at the old Koireroa cemetery, was carried out with full Maori traditional honours in the presence of a large number of both races.