REV. HEMI RIHIMONA

The Rev. Hemi Rihimona died at Ngaruawahia recently. He was aged 86. Mr Rihimona was known not only for his counsel to the late Princess Te Puea Herangi and to King Koroki, but as an elder who has welcomed prominent visitors to the Turangawaewae marae over the past 26 years.

He was recognised for his knowledge of the Maori language and arts, one of his chief studies being genealogy.

Mr Rihimona, who was a member of the Ngati-Mahanga, a sub-tribe of the Waikato, was the son of Terira Rihimona and Nganehu te Tana Ngatoki, and was the nephew of the influential chief of the Raglan and Whatawhata areas, Te Waitaia. His wife died 18 years ago.

Mr Rihimona trained at Three Kings, Auckland, where he was a student for seven years, and then spent 10 years with the Methodist Maori Mission in Hamilton, retaining his connection until his death.