Obituary Dr R. Mete-Kingi

Press, 19 November 1981, Page 12

Obituary Dr R. Mete-Kingi

PA Wellington Dr Rangitiiku Mete-Kingi, a key figure in the bid to give Maoris greater control of their land, and author of the “Mete-Kingi Report” on Maori leasehold land, died at his Rata home on November 12. Dr Mete-Kingi, aged 71 — affiliated to all the Wanganui tribes and the Maori canoes — was a chief in his own right and one of the ...last pupils to . pass through a whare wanaga for -selected Maori leaders at Jerusalem, on the Wanganui River. He was appointed to the Maori Land Board in 1975 and was a member of the Maori Purposed Fund Board and an honorary canon in the Anglican Church. More than 2000 mourners, including, grandchildren who flew home from. England and four busloads of Maori war-

dens, visited Pau Te Rangi Marae, Putike, Wanganui, where Dr Mete-Kingi lay . in state. His five-day tangi — one of the biggest in recent times — concluded with his burial at the marae’s urupa (cemetery). . In his capacity as a Maori Land Board member. Dr Mete-Kingi chaired a committee. set up in 1977 at the request of the. then Minister of Maori Affairs , (Mr MacIntyre) to look at Maori leasehold land. ' : The “Meke-Kingi Report” which emerged a year later contained progressive measures to develop unused Maori land and advocated better terms and conditions for Maori lease-holders. The recommendations are being . gradually implemented. Dr Mete-Kingi was a lead-

ing force in the Atihau (Wanganui tribe) Incorporation, the second biggest land incorporation in the country. Two years ago he was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Laws degree from Victoria University for his contribution to the development of Maori ancestral lands for the benefit of the Maori owners and pakeha tenants. ■ ' ' ' He played a prominent part in shaping Maori policy, on several fronts and was among Maori leaders taken to Wellington recently for the Maori Affairs Department’s planning conference. The Planning Council chairman. Sir Frank Holmes, who represented the council at Dr Mete-Kingi’s funeral, commended his contribution to the council. ■ Dr Mete-Kingi is survived by his wife, Wikitoria, and seven children. .