MAORI WAR VETERAN.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5031, 24 September 1926, Page 2

MAORI WAR VETERAN.

DEATH OF HOANI TAUPAKI.

LONG SERVICE WITH FORCES.

After a long And interesting career a well-known Maori, in the person of Hoani Taupaki, died at his residnece, Tirohia, early on Tuesday morning. With the passing of this native a link with by-gone days has been broken. Born at Ahipara, Nofrth Auckland, 90 years ago, deceased was a son of the late. Rev. Matthew Taupaki, who was ordained by Bishop Selwyn in 1542. Always of an adventurous spirit, Taupaki, even as a small lad, gave valuable assistance to the Imperial Forces during the troublous tiipes with the unfriendly Maoris in-the, early days. After a brief education at St. Stephen’s Maori College, Auckland, deceased, at the age of 18 years, joined up with the Imperial Forces and' served in variious parts of the North Island under Colonel Whitmore. After the engagement a.t Gate Pah, Taur.anga, deceased took part in the heavy fighting during the Te Kooti rebellion on the East Coast. Taupaki saw considerable service, with the Forces, in Taranaki, and was through the clash with the rebel Ti Toikowaru at Waihi, Ta.ranaki. Deceased had the distinction of being within a few feet of Major Von Tempsky when he was mortally wounded during the fight at Inaha. After the termination of hostilities deceased returned tot Auckland and later settled at Mercury Bay. In 1884 he married, and after living at various pa,rts of the Coromandel Peninsula he removed to Ohinemuri, and has lived almost continuously at Tirohia, where he was always held in the highest esteem and regard by Maori and pakeha, and proved himself a valuable friend, especially to those of his own race. Although a nonagenarian, deceased was active and enjoyed good health up to a few months ago>. He leaves a widow, four daughters;, and two sons, both of whom saw Active service and were wounded in the Great War.

A large and representative tangi is being held at Tirohia, and deceased is being interred at the Te, Awaiti Maori burial ground, Paerba, this afternoon, the Rev. Leaf, Church of . England Madlri Minister, Thames, performing the latejt solemn rites.