Notable Maori Dies

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 49, 27 February 1943, Page 5

Notable Maori Dies

Tho death occurred on Tuesday at the Christchurch Public Hospital of Mana Te Hipa Te Hauraraka Pitama, aged 61, tho widow of Wereta Tainui Pitama, of Tuahiwi, and a leading personality among the Ngai-Tahu of the South Island. Of distinguished lineage, she was connected with NgaiTuahuriri, Ngai-To Rangiamoa, and Ngati-Huirapu, leading hapus of NgaiTahu. Hoani Maaka, her father, was a prominent genealogist and Maori advocate before tho land courts of last century. Both Mana Pitama and her husband, who died in 1930, came of the fightiug stock of Ngai-Tahu, and were descended from tho defenders of Kaiapohia Pa. Recognised as a public speaker, she exercised a wide influence in tribal affairs, and particularly in recent years in the councils of the Ratana Church in both islands. At one time Mana Pitama lived in Wellington when her husband was in partnership with the late Ilopere (Billy) Uru, M.P. Acknowledged as an authority of tribal history, she was tho only woman called to give evidence before the Royal Commission on the Ngai-Tahu land claims in 1925. Her home at Tuahiwi was a hospital centre for the people of both races, and many visiting celebrities were entertained there. The surviving members of her family are—Te Ari Pitama, Hoani Maaka Pitama (secretary to the Tuahiwi rununga), Paora (Paul) Tuhea Pitama (who was invalided home after serving overseas with the Maori Battalion), Wliitu Pitama, Henare (Henry) (recently wounded with the Maori Battalion), Mrs. J. Riwai, Mrs. N. Tau, and Misses Hinehaka and Hutika Pitama. Sergeant Tahuinataa Pitama, the fifth son, was killed at El Alamein, and was posthumously awarded the Military Medal.