A Chief Is Mourned

Hundreds of Maoris from throughout the North Island gathered in Gisborne to mourn the passing of Mr Hetekia Te Kani Te Ua, O.B.E., of Puha, chief of the Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki Tribe.

A son of Chief Harawira Te Ua, he was born at Waerenga-a-hika in 1892, and was educated at Nelson College.

He married Te Rina, a daughter of the late Sir Apirana Ngata, in 1917.

He was a recipient of the Coronation Medal and was presented to the Queen at Waitangi in 1963.

A leading figure, Mr Te Ua was highly respected both as a man and a leader, and will be best remembered by many for his spirited oratory at public functions.(left).

The funeral service, conducted by the Bishop of Aotearoa, the Rt Rev W. N. Panapa, commenced at Poho-o-Rawiri, and then moved to the Waihirere Marae. The burial took place at the picturesque Waihirere Cemetery, atop a hill overlooking the Poverty Bay flats.

Present at the funeral was Queen Ata, of Waikato, who was accompanied by many members of her tribe.