whetu. There, with determination and assistance from the late Sir Walter Nash, he resisted efforts to disperse the people, and eventually saw a group of 24 state houses built round the marae area, and the beautiful meeting house established. Among the hundreds who came to pay tribute were the Minister of Maori Affairs, and the Mayor of Lower Hutt. Speaking at the tangi, Te Oenuku Rene said, ‘One of the last ropes of Maori history has been severed. He was the last of his generation. He had tremendous faith in his people and their cause, and was referred to as a paramount chief because of the provision he had made for his people.’ Mr Puketapu was survived by his wife and nine children.

Lady Miria Pomare, O.B.E. Many hundreds paid tribute to Lady Pomare in services at St. Paul's Cathedral. Ngati Poneke Hall, Rangiatea Church at Otaki. and at Manukorihi Pa, where her ashes were laid beside those of her husband Sir Maui Pomare, a much-loved doctor and the only Maori ever to be Minister of Health, and her two sons Te Rakahera and Te Naera. Aged 94, Lady Pomare outlived her husband by 41 years. Their three children also predeceased her. One of the founders of the Ngati Poneke Maori Association, she remained its patroness until her death. During her long life she worked hard for many welfare organisations, and held office in more than 20. Speaking at St. Paul's, with his text Psalm 90 v. 1, ‘The Lord hath been our refuge from generation to generation’, the Bishop of Aotearoa, the Rt Rev. Manu Bennett said, ‘She is the last of a generation—one that blazed the trail to the new world. She stood behind a very great statesman of his time. She was a woman of great personal dignity, and never seemed to get older. She had the quality of a gracious lady, an aura; when she came into a room, you knew she was there.’ He said she was a perfect example of the saying ‘Every man is born between two generations. From one he receives. To the other he gives. He is the connecting link in the continuity of the species.’

Henry Te Hira The first Maori member of the Rodney College Board of Governo's, Mr Henry Te Tira died in Whangarei, aged 52. The problems of Maori youth, farming and sport were his main interests. After his service in the RNZAF during World War II, Mr Te Hira lived in Auckland where he founded the Akarana Football Club. After moving north, he continued his sporting interests, and became widely known for his farming achievements, including the winning in 1967 of the Ahuwhenua Trophy, for the best Maori farmer of the year. He is survived by his wife and seven children.

Rauwha Tamaiparea The whole of Taranaki was saddened at the passing of Rauwha Tamaiparea, widow of the late Awio Tamaiparea. Much loved and respected, she was an authority on Parihaka, and was also closely associated with the house Te Paepae. In recent years she gave full support to the restoration of Parihaka and passed on the chants she knew to the younger people associated with its rebuilding.

Tahiawaru Tarapipipi Tamehana Descendant of the first Maori Kingmaker, Tahiawaru Tamehana, who succeeded his brother in the role of Kingmaker only four years ago, died at Waharoa aged 65. His funeral service was held at Rukumoana. Morrinsville, his original home, and he was laid to rest near the old Maori Parliament building. A nephew. Ranginui Tamehana, has been appointed the new Kingmaker.

Huitao Ngaparu Many friends and relatives attended a memorial service at Silverstream and another at Ohau after the sudden death at 55 of Huitao Ngaparu, at Upper Hutt. Mr Ngaparu was born at Mokai and educated at Te Aute College. He had links with Ngati Raukawa, Te Arawa and Tuwharetoa tribes. He leaves his wife, a son Alan, and daughter Tina, formerly a Wellington television announcer.