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Contextual note


Below is an online version, from Nga Tupuna o Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Volume 3 (2005), of the biography for Oriwia Te Atiraukawa, reproduced with the kind permission of her whānau.

"Oriwia Te Atiraukawa". In Nga tupuna o Te Whanganui-a-Tara, volume 3. (2005)

Oriwia Te Atiraukawa,
Died 1881

Read in language

Oriwia belonged to Ngati Tawhirikura. She was the daughter of Mihinga and granddaughter of Te Whiti-o-Rongomai II and his third wife Mapuna. So she was a half sister to both Te Wharepouri and to Te Whiti-o-Rongomai III, and closely related to Honiana Te Puni. Her brother Mahau Tomairangi died before her.

Oriwia was married to Tamati Te Matoha (1796 - 8th January 1876). They had no children. Tamati had a sister Kaheno and a brother Parata Nuku. Parata married Meri Pawa who was Hare Parata's mother. Meri and her sister Horima Tapa were the daughters of Roriki. Tamati's father Tahi was uncle to the three brothers Te Matoha, Ropiha Moturoa and Wi Kingi Wairarapa. Tamati Te Matoha was also known as Ngapuna or Motutawa. Tamati Te Matoha and Oriwia Tamati owned section no.10 in Pipitea Pa. Tamati Te Matoha's grave is one of the few graves left untouched at the Bolton Street cemetery.

Until 1871 Oriwia was known to cultivate at Whakahukawai (Hutt Section 16) because of her association with Hapurona. He had been the pilot who had brought the Tory into Wellington Harbour from Port Hardy in the South Island in 1839. The role of pilot has also been attributed, at various times, to Worser Heberley, and by others to Dicky Barrett. When Oriwia's brother Mahau died, Oriwia inherited his land interests in the Wellington area. In one Maori Land Court decision it was agreed that Oriwia should share a section with Amiria Mataroirangi. Amiria was the wife of Ngapaki Te Puni, and mother of Makareta Te Puni, who died in May 1890. Amiria died on the 4 January 1891. In 1884 Oriwia together with Te Ruhia Pote of Waikato drafted a lease of some Petone lands with the Gear Meat Company. Two years later Henare Te Puni, Matene Tauwhare and another did in fact lease land at Petone to the Gear Meat Company.

Oriwia died on the 29 August 1891 at Waiwhetu. Her land interests were inherited by Atanatiu Te Puni who died 5 July 1900. He was one of the sons of Henare Te Puni (1814-1887) and his wife Rangiwahia Te Puni (1827-1913).

References:

  • WMB no.1 p.177
  • WMB no.3 p.151-159
  • WMB no.5 p.273-274
  • WMB no.6 p.145
  • WMB no.10A p.129-130, 131-132
  • WMB no.11 p.267, 269-270
  • Otaki MB no.19 p.219

Korero o te Wa I Raraunga I Rauemi I Te Whanganui a Tara I Whakapapa