Unusual memorial unveiled at reunion

Tu Tangata, Issue 12, 1 June 1983, Page 30

Unusual memorial unveiled at reunion

A stainless steel pyramid-like structure was recently unveiled at the Takarore family reunion held at Raukawa marae, Otaki.

The memorial was erected to commemorate descendants of the Takarore family.

Instead of more conventional stone or marble memorials, a stainless steel one was chosen. It was also a first for the manufacturers, Alfab Metal Industries, Upper Hutt Ltd. At just over a thousand each they’re approximately one fifth the cost of stone or marble ones.

The unveiling of the memorial was the focal point of the reunion for the six hundred family members of the Takarore family.

Takarore is not a name known in Otaki, simply because it was common practice to use the first names as family names. With the advent of European settlement it then became standard practice to continue with a common surname. The descendants took the Christian names of children of Takarore as surnames except where one of the children was a female.

The eldest child was Ketewhia who married Te Wiata Te Horu and the family name which prevails is Te Wiata. Two brothers followed Raika and Hohipuha and both of these names are well known in Otaki.

As with all reunions there were sessions on whakapapa, local history, a

tour of the area, sports day, grand dance and a concert with a considerable amount of talent. The families have a strong musical past as the name Te Wiata indicates.

Also prominent in the past were the Tawharu Quintette (Hohipuha family) who operated in the Palmerston North area in the 1940-1950 era. Johnny McGrath (Raika family) was also a leading orchestra leader in Palmerston North at about the same time. At a farewell concert given in Otaki in the late 1940’s for Inia Te Wiata, supporting artists included the Johnston’s (Raika) Nicholls (Te Wiata) Hakaraia (Raika) as well as many other artists under the names of Te Wiata, Raika and Hohipuha.

The final night of the Takarore reunion had the usual impromptu concert and it is pleasing to report the modern generation did not let their ancestors down. There was lots of talent including a nephew of Inia who does cabaret work in Brisbane; at least four persons who have their own bands, and that number plus who sing with bands. The only problem was that the master of ceremonies, Blondie Blackmore (Raika) has trouble fitting in the encores.

As well as the meeting of old and new friends, the reunion had its spritual side and acknowledgement of tipuna. A memorial service was held at Rangiatea Church followed by the four

unveilings. Many of the ancestors have been interred at Rangiatea but because of poor records due to some extent by fire, it’s not known exactly where some of them lie. Therefore it was decided to erect a memorial to all the past descendants of Maika and Harata Takarore. Reverend Timoti Flavell, Pastor of Rangiatea conducted the ceremony. Each family placed a korowai over their particular memorial and these were then unveiled by the eldest representative and two youngsters from each family. Nikora Te Wiata (Te Wiata), Whatne Johnson (Raika) and Jacko Tawharu (Hohipuha) were the elders.

The memorial structures are three sided, eight foot tall and four feet across the base of each side. Each side has a brass plaque with the names of the children of Ketewhia, Raika and Hophipuha engraved. On the main memorial is a smaller plaque which reads “In memory of Maika and Harata Takarore who had three children, Ketewhia who married Te Wiata Te Horu, Raika who married Kerenapu, Hohipuha who married Riripotaka.”

The intention with the family plaques is that they can be removed and the names of other deceased members of the respective families then added.

As shown in the photographs the memorial is attractive, modern in design and most important it has dignity. Hemi Nikora.