Te Heuheu Tukino V11 Hepi Hoani 1897 1997

edmondsallan - Hello -In 1989, in response to increasing calls from the tribes to establish an autonomous Maori organisation to represent their interests at the national level, Te Heuheu convened a hui at Lake Taupo. He invited two women to sit beside him – Queen Te Atairangikaahu and Te Reo Hura, tumuaki (president) of the Ratana faith – who subsequently convened a second and third hui to form the National Maori Congress. Initially all the major tribes of New Zealand affiliated to the congress and subscribed to its philosophy of Maori self-determination. Under Te Heuheu’s leadership the congress fought successfully to retain and increase separate Maori representation in Parliament, and also opposed the Runanga Iwi Act 1990, which sought to give legal personality to tribes, as an unnecessary imposition that could lead to Crown domination.

The most visible demonstration of Hepi Te Heuheu’s political influence came towards the end of his life. In December 1994 the government announced its plan to settle historic treaty claims within a fixed budget, or fiscal envelope, of $1 billion over 10 years. Prime Minister Jim Bolger invited a group of senior Maori leaders to Wellington to discuss the plan. Te Heuheu publicly declined the invitation, instead calling tribal leaders and representatives of Maori organisations to a hui at Hirangi marae, near Turangi, on 29 January 1995. This hui, and subsequent gatherings in September 1995 and April 1996, were each attended by around 1,000 leaders and representatives.

In his opening address at Hirangi, Te Heuheu stated that Maori were no longer content to react to proposals unilaterally formulated by government, and that until the country had a constitution that allowed Maori to determine policies for Maori there would be continuing disquiet and an ongoing sense of injustice. Although his vision of whakakotahitanga (unity) within tradition was not uncontested, the Hirangi hui demonstrated that Te Heuheu’s personal mana could unify Maori on an important issue. It also showed that the government could no longer expect to act unilaterally on issues important to Maori, and that fundamental constitutional issues lay behind Maori discontent.

Hepi Te Heuheu’s health was poor in his later years, affected by diabetes and related complications. On 31 July 1997 he died at Taupo Hospital, survived by his wife, Pauline (who died in August 1998), and their children. His tangihanga at Waihi marae was attended by a large number of Maori and other New Zealand leaders. Sir Robert Mahuta, speaking for the Maori Queen, observed that Te Heuheu’s quiet and unassuming effectiveness, rather than bluster and show, epitomised the authentic Maori concept of mana. Hepi’s eldest son, Tumu, succeeded him as paramount chief in a ceremony performed by Queen Te Atairangikaahu, following his father’s interment at Waihi.

Te Heuheu’s style of leadership was to encourage and empower others to be decision-makers, while keeping his own position in reserve for crises and impasses. He believed in keeping things simple and in protecting the inheritance of future generations. For this reason, and also because he moved easily among his people, both as a leader and a friend, he had a remarkable appeal to all Maori. His mana was also evident to many other New Zealanders, who admired his bearing and leadership. I thought these journals on this ancestral families , shows how strong a family can be and resist a lot of temptations that can weaken all their people . Till we meet again - Regards -edmondsallan