Well-known Levin Maori Dies Suddenly

Chronicle (Levin), 30 March 1949, Page 4

Well-known Levin Maori Dies Suddenly

A well-known figure in Levin for over half a century, Mr. Ngarori ("Romeo") Kingi died suddenly ir the early hours of Monday morning. He was 58 years of age. Mr. Kingi was a son of Hoani Kingi, chieftain of the Ngai Tahu , and Ngati Kahungungu. , His mother was Emiri Tutururu Mahuika, daughter of Hoani Mahuika, of the Ngati Kuia tribe. He was adopted,,in -the early- niner ties by Rora Korkkby " • a ' sister- of Major Kemp, the chief of the Muaupoko, Ngattlapa1 and Wanganui tribes and leader of the i loyalist Maori forces in the fight 1 . the adSQcates of hau hauism, > . voixi,ng to Levin as ari infant in j 1-893, Mr, .Kingi was educated at the. Levin School and Hikurangi College, in the Wairarapa. He went to Austrdiia in 1911; and worked and travelled througtiout N.S.W. and • Queensland ' for some time bef ore returning to ' LeVin. He • took -. a prominent part ih the social life of the Maori race in this district and was one of those responsible for the formation of -'the Kotahitanga Young Maori Club, which aims at 'teaching _the younger generation old Maori customs and fostering .inter-tribal sport. He played rugby football for some years and later helped to form the Punahau club. Last year he. was a member of the Horowhenua Union's management committee. Mr. Kingi is survived by "a widow and family.