The New Zealand and Chatham Island natives who escorted the body of Apa Taiaroa from the Chathams.
Caption: The New Zealand and Chatham Island natives who escorted the body of Apa Taiaroa from the Chathams. Back row.- John Robinson (Tamutu) [normally spelt Taumutu], Hohepa Mapu (Chatham Islands), Richard Taiaroa (Tamutu), Pene Anene (Chatham Islands), Reuben (Tamutu, Hikahu), John Walker (Tamutu), George Taiaroa (Tamutu). Front row.- Mrs Hohepa Mapu and child (Chatham Islands), Mrs Pene Anene and children (Chatham Islands), Rev. Mutu (Tamutu), and J. Conner (Tamutu).
Description: The Hon. Hori Kerei Taiaroa was a principal chief of the Ngai Tahu and in the late 1870s built a large two-storey house at Taumutu which was named 'Awhitu'. He moved his family, stock and other belongings there from the marae at Otakou (Taiaroa Heads). The Taiaroa family subsequently played an important part in the development of the Taumutu district. He variously represented the Maori people both in the Legislative Council and the House of Representatives from May 1871 until his death on 5 August 1905. Apa Taiaroa was one of six sons in the Taiaroa family and was accidentally shot in the Chatham Islands in February 1899 and was buried there. H. K. Taiaroa chartered a ship to bring his son back to Taumutu for burial. The reinterment took place on August 13th 1899 with many Chatham Island Maori present (having journeyed with the casket).
Source: The weekly press, 23 Aug. 1899, p. 53
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