Page 172 - Puhipi

Te Aitanga a Tumoana

were born. The family moved to Kaihu in 1879, where they settled on a block of 200
acres that had been presented to Wiremu's father by Parore Te Awha in recognition of the
services of Rikihana and his people to Ngati Whatua. The block became the township
site. However, Wiremu never severed ties with his home and whanau at Waireia and
Rangi Point, and frequently returned to Hokianga.

In 1903 Wiremu was a principal speaker for claimants to the lands of Waihou and
Whakarapa (Panguru) in the Native Land Court. His accurate knowledge of the land and
people resulted in his receiving considerable shares in the land. He gave evidence on the
Manuwhetai and Whangaiariki lands to the Stout--Ngata commission in 1908. In 1913
Wiremu Rikihana was the principal speaker in the complicated Waireia land case. In
1914, despite the wishes of the owners, the Native Land Court authorised the selling of
the Waireia D block provided that permanent villages were reserved, that all survey costs
in excess of a fund collected by the owners were paid by the purchaser, and that the
milling timber was valued and paid for separately from the land. Wiremu Rikihana and
others wished to retain part of their shares. The conditions were not fulfilled - the timber
was never paid for - and the Waireia case was to become the subject of claims against the
purchaser and the Crown from 1914 onwards. In 1919 a petition was presented by
Rikihana to the MP Tau Henare for a hearing before the Native Affairs Committee. It
was referred to the minister in 1920, but nothing was done. A further petition was
presented to Parliament in 1925. The Native Land Court concluded in 1932 that a great
injustice had been done. The Waireia land was finally returned to Te Rarawa ownership
in 1987.

Wiremu Rikihana was a prominent Maori Catholic. His wife and children were baptised
in October 1882. Eruera, his son, later married Ani Katete (Cassidy), a grand-daughter of
Maraea Te Kuri of Waima, who was believed to be one of the first Maori to become a
Catholic. Rikihana established close links with the Catholic family of his friend John
Bidois of Te Puna, near Tauranga, and with the Ngai Te Rangi people. He arranged four
marriages, three of them successful, between young women of Kaihu and young men of
Te Puna. From 1923 to 1930 Wiremu Rikihana was a member of the Legislative Council.
He was in failing health when appointed, and was probably not reappointed for health
reasons. He spoke infrequently, although in 1926 he strongly opposed the teaching of
religion in state schools. He was concerned at the potential for divisiveness between
different denominations, and was convinced that religious instruction was better left to
parents than to teachers.

He died at Kaihu on 10 July 1933; his wife and children predeceased him, and he was
survived by 11 grandchildren. He was buried in the Catholic cemetery at Kaihu.
Wiremu marena Raiha Harimana Hardiman [1467] [MRIN: 658] in Waireia.

11
12
9
10
123. Wiremu Tana [593] (Papahia Te Werohiko Tana , Kahi , TARUTARU , TeUruKauri ,
3
8
4
5
2
7
6
Tumaingarua , Taranga , Toakai , Patito , Houpure , Tamamoko , Tamahotu , TUMOANA
1
).
Rapunga Kupu Akoako: This whakapapa shows Wiremu Tana as the father of Hone Tana. It has also
been stated that Hone Tana is the younger brother of Wiremu.
Wiremu marena Mereana Ngapaki Patana [1248] [MRIN: 564].
Na Tamariki o te Marena:
+ 180 F i. Miriama Papahia [5690].
181 F ii. Akinihi Papahia [5691].
182 F iii. Unaiki Papahia [5692].
+ 183 M iv. Hone Tana Papahia [595] was born about 1856-1859 in Orongotea, Hokianga and died
on 9 Feb 1912 in Hokianga aged about 56.
184 F v. Miriama Papahia [5693].
10
11
9
12
124. Nganiho Papahia Te Tai [9420] (Ngakahuwhero , Kahi , TARUTARU , TeUruKauri ,
2
3
6
5
4
8
7
Tumaingarua , Taranga , Toakai , Patito , Houpure , Tamamoko , Tamahotu , TUMOANA