required, where they could be found, on beaches and in the bush, how they were treated and then put together. Mrs Waiwai had wide tribal affiliations, and travelled widely, visiting members of her family and friends. One of her notable visits to Wellington was to challenge the then Governor-General, Sir Bernard Fergusson, as he stepped onto the marae at Waiwhetu for the Wellington Maori people's farewell to him.

Eru Ruru Mr Eru Moanahia Ruru died suddenly in Gisborne, after many years of ill health. He had been involved in many activities, notably the Waerenga-a-Hika Trust Board and the Mangatu Incorporation Management Committee, of which he was a former chairman. Born in Gisborne in 1912, Mr Ruru completed his education at Te Aute College, where he took an agricultural course, later farming on Mahia Peninsula. He later joined the Maori Affairs Department, where he worked as an interpreter. He left the department to become chairman of the Mangatu Committee. In recent years, Mr Ruru was engaged in writing a book on the history, genealogy, customs, myths and traditions of his people. He is survived by his sisters, Mrs Hinemoa Tautau, Mrs Tawai Kingi, and Miss Lena Ruru.

Henare Te Kuka After several months of serious illness, Henare Te Kuka, an elder of the Ngaiterangi tribe died aged 80. Born on Matakana Island, he served for 18 years as chairman of the school committee and led farming development there for many years. He was an acknowledged authority on Maori protocol and genealogy. He left Matakana Island in 1942, and had lived ever since at Te Puna, where he was buried following a tangi at the Pouterangi marae.

Ngakohu Pera Mr Ngakohu Pera, paramount chief of the Whakatohea tribe, and one of the principal speakers at the Cook Bicentenary celebrations in Gisborne, died in Opotiki, and was buried on a hill overlooking his birthplace, Waioeka Pa. One of the oldest and most noted orators, he claimed to be the oldest surviving member of the Ringatu Church. He had been a follower of the prophet Rua, and could recall the 1886 eruption of Mt Tarawera, and the days he served food to the famous Te Kooti. When Sir Bernard Fergusson was welcomed to Opotiki, it was Mr Pera who presented him with the finely-carved walking stick which His Excellency constantly used. Although he had been living in Wellington for some time, he insisted on returning to Opotiki, where he arrived only a few days before his death. He is survived by a daughter, Mrs Doreen Poinga.

Kepa Ehau One of the greatest of the orators of the Arawa tribe, Kepa Hamuera Anaha Ehau died in Rotorua aged 85. For at least 50 years he had been prominent in welcoming noted visitors to Rotorua, acting as interpreter for old men who had no English, and as an orator in his own right. He served with the Maori Pioneer Battalion of World War I, and was severely wounded in France. In recent years, these wounds caused the amputation of both legs, but he remained a noted figure at Maori meetings, speaking in a strong rich voice from his wheelchair. A member of the Ngati Tarawhai subtribe of Te Arawa, his knowledge of Maori tradition and ceremonial was unsurpassed in the territory of the Arawa people and beyond. He spoke fluent French, and often would amaze a European visitor with his French interpretation of a Maori welcome.

Elisabeth Bellingham More than 500 people attended the funeral service of Mrs John Bellingham at the Church of St Stephen the Martyr, Opotiki, among them many Maoris, who had come to love her greatly during her husband's time as vicar of the parish. During the service, the Archbishop of New Zealand mentioned the rare honour which had been bestowed on Mrs Bellingham — the giving of a Maori name, Irihapiti Te Aroha, meaning Elisabeth the Beloved One. The local Maori people showed their sorrow in a tribute published in the local Opotiki paper. Mrs Bellingham is survived by her husband, daughter Judy and son Nigel.