MAORI CHIEF DIES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 194, 15 August 1936, Page 8

MAORI CHIEF DIES

| RIMA WAKARUA’S CAREER CHAIRMAN OF TRUST BOARD Rima Wakarua, chief of the NgaRauru tribe, c’’ed at Nukumaru Pa on Tuesday in his 59th. year. Well known throughout Taranaki and Wanganui, he was a member of the Taranaki Maori Trust Board since its inception in 1929, and in 1934 succeeded Mr Tupiti Manuera as chairman. Mr Wakarua is survived by his wife, a daughter of Hetaraka Tautahi, whose ancestry traces back through males and elder sons to before Turi, navigator of the Aotea canoe from Hawaiki-Rangitea. Mr W. Wakarua, Hawera, a former student of Hawkesbury College, New South Wales, is the only son, there being two daughters, Mrs Reno Tomo and Julia Wakarua. Mr Wakarua was cnosen by the Government to receive the King’s jubilee medal and recently he was appointed to the Taranaki Provincial Council in connection with the Dominion’s centenary celebrations. As chief of the Nga-R.auru tribe, Mr Wakarua entertained King Koroko and Princess Te Puea at the opening of the new meeting house at Ihapuka Pa, Waitotara, and suosequently accompanied the Waikato party on visits to Kai Iwi, Putiki, and Otaki. He recently accompanied his people to the big gathering at Waitara. He was sincere in his efforts to raise the standard of living of the Maori people.