View/Open - Scholarly Commons Home

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I wish to acknowledge Ngati Hau tupuna for narrating whakapapa, history, land occupation and
descriptions of their land boundaries at sittings of the Maori Land Court in Whangarei from 1865 to
1920. I also acknowledge the histories, tupuna, hapu and lands of Te Waiariki, Ngatikorora and
Ngatitaka, Ngati Kahu O Torongare, Ngati Wai, Ngati Manu, Ngati Hine and Te Parawhau.
In the gathering of tribal records and documents held in the Maori Land Court I am indebted to former
work colleagues Bill Kaka, Selwyn Peters, Rex Wilson, Russell Wells and Ray Polamalu, for their
generous help and support. Much loved friends and whanau, always remembered and never forgotten
Agnes Tuisamoa, Christina Lyndon, Rosemary Osborne, Uru Palmer, Mapihi Cooper, Wendy Kake,
kuia Rewa (Sydia) Maihi and Kohu Honetana. Special thanks to kaumatua Ranginui Maihi (Te Uri
Taniwha) and Wiri Kake (Ngati Hau).
I am grateful for the academic examples set by Professor Pat Hohepa, the late Christina Lyndon, Tui
Cadigan, Susan Healy, Fr. Henare Tate, Fr. Bernard Dennehy, Kura Te Waru Rewiri, Richard Parker,
Murray Gibb, Karol Kaio and kuia Chrissy Jacobs. I thank Pa Henare for his daily karakia and kupu
korero, Peter Kake for his unconditional support, my sister Leonie and brother Bill Maxwell for their
encouragement. A special thanks to Akuhata Shortland, Fraser Nikora, Makura Hussey, Korora
Shortland, Te Ari Apetera, William Tohu, David Barton, Oriana Te Rore Tahau, Rewi Carpenter,
Sandra Meyst, kaumatua and rangatira Haki Parata for his tautoko and advice.
I have appreciated the academic disciplines and encouragement by Dale Fitchett and her persistence
and perseverance that I complete this study. I value the efforts of Moata McNamara and her
endeavours to bring to the forefront through this project the opportunity to re-engage with Ngati Hau,
to inform, stimulate discussion and huihui together. The challenges on tikanga and customary
practices associated with Maori funerary by Taipari Munro have been appreciated. Nga mihi kia
7