HAERE KI O KOUTOUTIPUNA HAERE KI O KOUTOU TIPUNA

Major H. Te R. Vercoe. D.S.O., D.C.M., O.B.E. Major Henry Te Reiwhati Vercoe, leader of the Arawa confederation of tribes, died at Otaramarae, Rotorua, on 23rd March. Major Vercoe was born at Maketu in the Bay of Plenty on July 21, 1884. At the age of 15 he joined the 7th New Zealand Contingent for the Boer War, where he was awarded the D.C.M. and was Mentioned in Dispatches. On his return to New Zealand he settled on family holdings in the Bay of Plenty. During World War I he served with the 1st Maori Contingent in Egypt, Gallipoli and France, and was four times Mentioned in Dispatches. He was awarded the D.S.O. He was commandant of a training camp for Maori reinforcements and home guards during World War II. After the war he became a member of the National Committee of Maori Education and an advisory committeeman of the South Auckland Education Board. He was chairman of the Waiariki District Council of Tribal Executives, and was a chairman of the Arawa Trust Board for three years. He was a member of the Maori reception committee to Queen Elizabeth II when she visited Rotorua in 1953, and for his services to the Maori people was awarded an O.B.E. in that year. When Sir Apirana Ngata started development of Maori lands in the Rotorua district, Major Vercoe was instrumental in getting his tribes to agree to their lands being developed, and since then has continued to support and advocate the policy of Maori land development as propounded by Sir Apirana. He was National Party candidate for the Eastern Maori seat in 1960. Major Vercoe was a keen Rugby supporter, and played for the Bay of Plenty when he was 15. He was nominated for the 1905 All Blacks, but because of family commitments was not available. Horse racing and polo were other sporting interests. He is survived by four sons and two daughters. More than 3000 people, including hundreds of pakeha friends and representatives of many organisations, attended the funeral. The Minister of Maori Affairs, Mr Hanan, was among those attending the service. The funeral, a full military ceremony, was conducted by Bishop Panapa, Bishop of Aotearoa. He was assisted by Canon Kaa and Revs. W. Rangi, M. Bennett, K. Te Hau, K. Paenga, H. Rangihu, Padre Fraser, and Tangohau, B. Turei and T. Wanoa. Captain H. Lambert, of Tauranga, represented the Army.

Mr Titari Manotau Anihana The death occurred at Auckland on March 27 of Mr Titari Manotau Anihana, also known as Mr Rawene Anderson. He was in his 98th year. Mr Anihana was born at Maraeroa in the Hokianga district where he spent most of his life. He came of a chiefly Ngapuhi family being a descendant of Nukutawhiti. On the European side he was a grandson of Captain John Havelock Anderson who came to New Zealand in the early part of last century. Mr Anihana was a noted figure on the maraes of Northland, being a forceful speaker with the gift of humour and a deep knowledge of traditional lore. He is survived by his second wife, two sons and four daughters. They are Mr Takahi Anderson, Mrs Katana Tahere, and Mrs Winnie Smith, all of Auckland, Mrs Hilda Pehi, Whangarei, Mrs Sarah Mane, Utakura, and Mr Matthew Anderson, Te Ahuahu. There are 48 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Mr Tata Wineera Parata The death occurred at Lower Hutt on 10th February of Mr Tata Wineera Parata. He was in his 67th year. Tata Parata was of distinguished lineage, being of high standing among Te Atiawa, Ngati Toa and Ngati Raukawa. He was the grandson of Wi Parata te Kakakura, one-time member of Parliament for the Western Maori seat and the second Maori to achieve Cabinet rank. He was educted at Waikanae School and subsequently at the Otaki Maori Boys' College. The funeral at Waikanae was conducted by the Church of Latter Day Saints, of which Mr Parata was an elder in the Hutt Valley area.