Noel Rangonui Akapita

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 650, 20 August 1996, Page 16

Noel Rangonui Akapita

Well-known Ohakune identity Noel Akapita died peacefully at home on Sunday. Born in 1950, Noel was the first child of Rich and Joan. Noel attended the convent school at Whanganui and St Josephs, Ohakune and completed his secondary schooling at Hato Paora Maori Boys College

in Feilding and Ruapehu College. Noel's solid physique led him to be one of the s t r o n g scrummaging props in whatever teamheplayed. At 15,Noelwaspropping for the Ruapehu Maori Seniors playing with hardened players like Ray Parr and many j older players. His expertise led him

to ably lead the Ruapehu Maori Catholic Club, successfully winning the rugby at the annual Hui Aranga' Easter Festival for seven years. He also played for Ohakune. Noel was an asset to his family and community and represented them on the Ohakune Borough Council and Ati Hau Incorporation and was a representative on the Hato Paora board of trustees. His involvement with many organisations led him

to be a person who would speak for his people. He was chairman of the Ruapehu Catholic Club and secretary to the Pauro Marino Land Trusts and Maungarongo Marae. Noel committed himself to his dealings of the family land holdings and was its representative for dealings

on the new Resource Management Act. His upbringing on the marae saw him not only knowing his tikanga but li ve by his tikanga. He was a graduate of the Whare Wanganga in the use of the taiaha (long weapon) and reached at his young age a tutor of the taiaha. This made him one of the many treasured ones of the Maungarongo, Whanganui and Ngati Rangi Marae. Noel worked in the freez-

ing works industry, as a machinery operator for the NZR. His management of kokiri and all its modules was done with expertise. He went on to be the Maori liaison officer for the housing corporation, covering Palmerston North, Whanganui and Taranaki, finally working for tlre

Ruapehu District Council. % Noel's chairmanship of the Kurakaupapa Ki Ngati Rangi Steering Committee will be missed. His direction and knowledge in dealing with higher level administration will not be easy to fill. Noel was aholderof a black belt in karate and toured the USA including Hawaii, retuming with successes highlighting his fight-

ing prowess. Noel played bass guitar for the Maungarongo huia group and travelled extensively in support. Noel took the position of coaching the OhakuneKarioi Senior Rugby team which amalgamated with Raetihi and is now known as the Ruapehu Senior Rugby, until he became 111. Noel is survived by his wife Ngawai, his three children and two grandchildren .