DEATH OF CENTENARIAN

Taupo Times, Volume II, Issue 81, 5 August 1953, Page 1

DEATH OF CENTENARIAN

MRS TARIHIRA MARIU The death of Mrs Tarihira Mariu occurred at Tokaanu on Sun day, July 19. Mrs Mariu, who was a prominent member of the Ngati-Turangi-tukua sub-tribe of NgatiTuwharetoa, was reputed to be ^several years over the century mark. She had vivid memories of the fight at the Mahaukura Pa, Te Porere, which took place on October 3, 1869. The pa may still be seen, not far from the Turangi-N ational Park highway in the vicinity of the Wanganui River Bricige, and was the last redoubt constructed by Te Kooti. Mrs Mariu's husband was a descendant of Te Heuheu Mananui, and a cousin of Horonuku Te Heuheu, the chief who, at a sitting of the Native Land Court at Taupo in March, 1886, gave the mountains Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu to be the nucleus of the Tongariro National Park. Mrs Mariu spent most of her life at Waihi and Tokaanu, Lake Taupo, although until two years ago she often travelled to important Maori gatherings. Her eldest surviving son is Mr Arekatera Mariu, of Hauhangaroa.