November 22, 2017
Te Ao Maori mourn with Ngati Whakaue at the loss of their rangatira Pihopa Kingi
Te Arawa will gather at Te Papaiouru Marae in Ohinemutu this morning to pay respects to their rangatira Pihopa Kingi, who passed away on Tuesday aged 88.
Mr Kingi was the son of Raniera Kingi, the first secretary of Te Arawa Maori Trust Board, and followed in his steps serving the people.
He continue his father’s efforts to secure the return of Ngati Whakaue land around Rotorua, which eventually came under the Pukeroa Oruawhata Trust on which he sat for many years.
With his wife Inez, a trail-blazing nurse, he set up the Tipu Ora health service in Ohinemutu.
He was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 1999 and a Companion of the Queen's Service Order a decade later.
Pihopa Kingi’s body was taken this morning to Te Te Papaiouru Marae a short distance from his home. He will lay in state at the whare of his tupuna, Tamatekapua, with the funeral service set for 11am Sunday.
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