RAHARIHI PURURU

Te Ao Hou, December 1957, Page 3

RAHARIHI PURURU The death occurred at Rotorua on Tuesday of M. Raharihi Pururu, O.B.E., at the age of 86. He was the son of Christopher Maling and Pua Raharihi, who was also known as Kirikaiahi Raharihi and as Pua Renata. Pururu was his grandfather's name. He was better known among his people as Ruhi Pururu. In his early years he was an outstanding athlete, especially good as a long-distance runner. Always interested in land development, Mr Pururu and his wife took up a property in the Rotoiti district, where he became a leading figure in the land development of Ngati Pikiao, of which his wife, Rangi Titiahoa Ngahuia, was a member. Better known as Rangi Ngahuia Vercoe, she was a daughter of the late Henry Vercoe of Tauranga. With his wife, Mr Pururu farmed a property known as Tokerau. In 1930, to assist the late Sir Apirana Ngata in his Maori land development scheme, he returned to Horohoro, and due to his influence land there was placed at the disposal of Sir Apirana for his scheme. Horohoro land, therefore, was placed not only at the disposal of Arawa people, but also for Maori settlers from the Wairoa and East Coast tribes. Together, they laid the foundation for the success of Sir Apirana's scheme. Mr Pururu was one of the prominent leaders of Te Arawa. He was awarded the Order of the British Empire for his services to both Maori and European. At Horohoro, Mr Pururu was responsible for the building of a meeting house, and he also supervised the building of a church there. At a large hui held at Turangawaewae Pa, Ngaruawahia last October, the Prime Minister and Minister of Maori Affairs, Mr Holyoake, together with Mrs Holyoake and four of his family, paid