February 07, 2018
Ngati Poneke founder Laura Taepa laid to rest
Taranaki Whanui and Ngati Poneke are in mourning for one of the club's founding members, Laura Taepa, who died on Sunday at Te Omanga Hospice in Petone, surrounded by her whanau.
Henare Kingi, who joined the club in 1950, says she was a major presence in the Wellington Maori community, and in the story of the Maori migration to the cities.
It was there she met heer husband, the late Canon Hoine Taepa.
There have been large groups coming through Waiwhetu Marae in Lower Hutt, where her funeral service is being held today.
"There's very few of the old members of Ngati Porou alive now, so Laura has gone to meet all the other members in the spiritual world," Mr Kingi says.
Laura Taepa will be laid to rest at Owhiti Urupa in Seaview.
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