MAORI CENTENARIAN PASSES

Otaki Mail, 3 July 1933, Page 3

MAORI CENTENARIAN PASSES

LINK WITH EARLY RANGITIKEI. One of the most picturesque and easily the oldest Maori iu Bangitikei, Meri Pukaihua, died at the Parewanui pa on Monday, at the age of some 104 years. The deceased was a typical member of the old school Alaoris, and in her 80 years' residence in Parewanui, the seat of the Xgatiapas, she bore an honoured name among both Maori audi pakcha for she was a most capable and kind-hearted woman, giving many years of faithful service in the household of the famous Utiku Marumaru, his sou 'lran and in (urn the latter's sou, H. T. \V. Marumaru. The first two generations of this honourable Maori family have loug since died, but there are many who still remember Utiku Marumaru in the hey day of his life as a Maori Chieftain and as a sportsman whose racing stable was famous the length and breadth of the country. it was on March 10th, 1849, that- the late Donald McLean completed the purchase of the Rangitikei block, and at this time Meri Pukaihua (or "Amary" as she was more popularly known) was a young widow, the name of her husband being at the time of writing unknown. She married again a half-caste .Maori (believed to be the sun of an old missionary) and there were, il is understood, throe childrou ot this marriage, one of whom, Mrs J. Martin, resides now iu Bulls. Unfortunately none of those living in the district to day can remember the old lady's childhood, but it is a certainty that slie must have lived through some stining times. She was buried at the Marumaru private cemetery on Wednesday- by Rev. Renata, of Marton.