Takarangi Rangitaamo Tiahuia 1919 1948 Waikato Nz

edmondsallan - Hello - " old faithful " Put this out next with a little note-" don't forget the Waikato Women. It wasn't just men you know !! "
Bit cheeky eh !! I set another program on Research for her to come up with while I was making a cuppa - Later we'll see what she comes up with . I can hear her working flat out - click click and all her other noises. She is very jealous of the " young one " All the time trying to beat her . Thats why I won't have them coupled up _ Only on a couple of programs . Anyway she has pushed this note out- so I had better do something with it . She usually is very selective . Takarangi, Rangitaamo Tiahuia
Ngati Hauiti and Ngati Hine; Maori welfare officer, community leader
Rangitaamo Tiahuia Taiuru was born at Waimoho, near Rangiriri in the Waikato district, on 24 July 1901. Her mother, Paretauhanga Riwhero, was of Ngati Hine of Waikato; her father, Moroati Taiuru of Rata in the Rangitikei district, was connected to both Ngati Tuwharetoa and Ngati Kahungunu through his hapu Ngati Hauiti, Ngati Haukaha, Ngati Hikairo and Ngati Whiti-Tama (the inter-married hapu Ngati Tamakopiri and Ngati Whitikaupeka). Her parents had lost all their earlier infants. When Paretauhanga conceived again, they travelled to Waikato to consult Mahuta, the Maori King. He told them that Paretauhanga was the victim of ill will because she had been a puhi (a young woman of rank whose marriage was important to her people), and Moroati had taken her away from her home. He told them to stay in Waikato, and when the child was born, if it was a girl it was to be called Taamorangi Tiahuia Taiuru Te Rango. After her birth, her first name was altered to Rangitaamo. She and her parents stayed in Waikato long enough for Rangitaamo to attend school at Rangiriri, but after a smallpox epidemic the family returned to Rata. Seven other children were born to the family.

Rangitaamo grew up at Rata on her father’s farm. When not at school she worked with him, milking cows and doing farm work in preference to domestic chores with her mother. She also travelled with her paternal grandmother, Te Maari Maatuahu, visiting relatives and attending Native Land Court sittings. She met Tenga-i-te-rangi Takarangi while attending shows in Taihape when she was about 17. He was of the well-known Takarangi Metekingi family of Te Ati Haunui-a-Paparangi of Whanganui, and was also of Ngati Whiti-Tama of Ngati Tuwharetoa. Rangitaamo’s father’s people were their close kin and originally came from the same area. Rangitaamo’s and Tenga’s families had arranged a marriage between them; they were to have one son and one daughter, who died aged two. At that time (1932) Rangitaamo adopted another daughter, and she and Tenga formalised their marriage. Their son was killed during the Second World War.

Tenga Takarangi had attended Wanganui Collegiate School, and worked as a farm cadet and farm labourer. He was a leading figure at Putiki marae, and Rangitaamo also worked there. At first this was behind the scenes in the kitchen and dining room, but later she learnt marae customs and was invited to welcome visitors formally. One of her first tasks was to welcome soldiers returning from the First World War. She was a foundation member of the Putiki Maori Club, and later was to act as tutor in waiata, karanga and whaikorero (speech-making). She took part in tukutuku projects, making woven panels as wall decorations in meeting houses at Kai Iwi marae, Koriniti marae, the Maori church at Putiki, St John’s Cathedral, Napier, and Hato Paora College, Feilding.

In 1942 Tenga joined the Native Department. Rangitaamo’s own qualities of leadership, her increasingly prominent position at Putiki and the range of her husband’s interests and areas of influence made her the logical choice for the Whanganui district when welfare officers were being appointed to the new Maori Welfare Division of the Native Department. She commenced her new responsibilities in May 1947. Her area extended from Putiki upriver to Taumarunui, and on almost to Te Kuiti, and included Taupo, part of Taranaki and the Turakina district south of Whanganui. Her main concerns were arranging housing and health care for impoverished Maori, and ensuring the best possible education for their children. Much of her time went to setting up and fostering branches of the Women’s Health League: she had 47 branches in her area, of which five were affiliated to the Rotorua Central Committee. She tried to reduce the number to form larger branches which would function more efficiently, but was thwarted by each small community wanting to work within its own branch. Till we meet again - Regards - edmondsallan