MRS RANGIORA NGAMATU

Te Ao Hou, June 1961, Page 3

MRS RANGIORA NGAMATU The death of Mrs Rangiora Ngamatu occurred at the Rotorua Hospital recently at the age of 71. Her father, the late William Henry Bird, was the first white settler of the Murupara-Galatea district. He settled there some years before the Tarawera eruption of 1886. Her mother was Kiekie Peita, the granddaughter of Peraniko Tahawai, the renowned leader of the Ngati-Manawa tribe which joined forces with the Royal troops under Captain Gilbert Mair against the Hau Hau uprising of the Te Kooti era. Before her health declined, Mrs Ngamatu was very prominent in the general welfare and social activities of her people. She took a leading part in all functions and to the time of her death, retained the respect and high esteem of both Maori and Pakeha. She is survived by her husband, Mr Waihaki Ngamatu, of Taupo, a chief of the Ngati Tuwharetoa tribe.