James Te Rangi Cross

Mr Cross died at Whangarei, aged 90. He was born at Waitangi and after being educated at St Stephen's Maori Boys' School, qualified as an interpreter and worked for some time for a solicitor.

Later he worked on a family farm, and became a keen gardener. In 1945, he became chairman of the Kaka Porowini Marae Reserves Trust, a post he held until 1962.

Henare Tenana

Bay of Islands elder Henare Poutawera Clendon Tenana died at his home in Rawhiti at the age of 75. He was chief of the Ngati Kuta and an elder of the Ngati Hine sub-tribe.

Mr Tenana had been a farmer most of his life. Active in many community projects, he was a former chairman of the Rawhiti Maori Committee, a trustee of the Rawhiti marae, and a founder member of the original Waitangi National Trust. He was also a foundation member of the committee that organised the laying on Mount Takanae of a memorial stone to Kupe, the great navigator. He is survived by his wife and 11 children.

Taia Toia

Mr Taia Toia, 86-year-old member of the Mahurehure tribe and Ngati Tawaki subtribe, died at his home at Waimate North.

He was one of the old-time kauri bushmen of Northland, owning and operating his own bullock team. After farming for some years, he started the Toia sawmill near the shores of Lake Omapere. It was later moved to Okaihu East. After his sons had gained the necessary experience, he handed the sawmill over to them and returned to develop 250 acres of gumland at Lake Omapere to farming standard.

He is survived by his five sons and four daughters.

Tamahina Topine

The death occurred at Taumarunui of Mr Tamahina (Scotty) Topine at the age of 70. He was a member of the Ngatihau-a-Paparangi and a highly respected elder of Ngapuwaiwaha Pa. He also had affiliations with Kahungunu and Tuhoe Federations on his mother's side.

With his lifelong interest in all types of farming and management, Scotty was well known in sheep-shearing circles throughout the country. Many mourners attended the funeral at Ngapuwaiwaha maare. Predeceased by his wife, Mr Topine leaves a step-son, John Onangi, and a son, David Te Whetu, both of Taumarunui.

Kahouterangi Te Kuru

A prominent member of the Tuwharetoa tribe, Mr Kahouterangi Te Kuru died at his home at Pukawa on the western shores of Lake Taupo, aged 94.

In recent years, Mr Te Kuru had made several trips overseas, one a pilgrimage to Trois Arbres Cemetery in France, where his son was buried in World War I in 1917. He also visited the War Cemetery at Cassino and inspected the graves of Waihi, Tokaanu and Turangi men who died in the battle there during World War II.

Mr Te Kuru is survived by a daughter, Mrs Epiha, a son, Mr T. Te Kuru, 33 grandchildren, and a number of great and great great grandchildren.

Mereana Waiwai

Maori and Pakeha mourned the death of Mrs Mereana Waiwai, well known for her skill in weaving. who died in her village of Tuai, aged 89.

Mrs Waiwai made many flax articles for ceremonial occasions and for gifts to notable people. She was closely associated with the decoration of the Waiwhetu meeting house, coming from her Tuhoe home to direct operations. She showed the young Maori people the type of materials

required, where they could be found, on beaches and in the bush, how they were treated and then put together.

Mrs Waiwai had wide tribal affiliations, and travelled widely, visiting members of her family and friends. One of her notable visits to Wellington was to challenge the then Governor-General, Sir Bernard Fergusson, as he stepped onto the marae at Waiwhetu for the Wellington Maori people's farewell to him.

Eru Ruru

Mr Eru Moanahia Ruru died suddenly in Gisborne, after many years of ill health. He had been involved in many activities, notably the Waerenga-a-Hika Trust Board and the Mangatu Incorporation Management Committee, of which he was a former chairman.

Born in Gisborne in 1912, Mr Ruru completed his education at Te Aute College, where he took an agricultural course, later farming on Mahia Peninsula. He later joined the Maori Affairs Department, where he worked as an interpreter. He left the department to become chairman of the Mangatu Committee.

In recent years, Mr Ruru was engaged in writing a book on the history, genealogy, customs, myths and traditions of his people. He is survived by his sisters, Mrs Hinemoa Tautau, Mrs Tawai Kingi, and Miss Lena Ruru.

Henare Te Kuka

After several months of serious illness, Henare Te Kuka, an elder of the Ngaiterangi tribe died aged 80.

Born on Matakana Island, he served for 18 years as chairman of the school committee and led farming development there for many years. He was an acknowledged authority on Maori protocol and genealogy.

He left Matakana Island in 1942, and had lived ever since at Te Puna, where he was buried following a tangi at the Pouterangi marae.

Ngakohu Pera

Mr Ngakohu Pera, paramount chief of the Whakatohea tribe, and one of the principal speakers at the Cook Bicentenary celebrations in Gisborne, died in Opotiki, and was buried on a hill overlooking his birthplace, Waioeka Pa.

One of the oldest and most noted orators, he claimed to be the oldest surviving member of the Ringatu Church. He had been a follower of the prophet Rua, and could recall the 1886 eruption of Mt Tarawera, and the days he served food to the famous Te Kooti.

When Sir Bernard Fergusson was welcomed to Opotiki, it was Mr Pera who presented him with the finely-carved walking stick which His Excellency constantly used.

Although he had been living in Wellington for some time, he insisted on returning to Opotiki, where he arrived only a few days before his death. He is survived by a daughter, Mrs Doreen Poinga.

Kepa Ehau

One of the greatest of the orators of the Arawa tribe, Kepa Hamuera Anaha Ehau died in Rotorua aged 85. For at least 50 years he had been prominent in welcoming noted visitors to Rotorua, acting as interpreter for old men who had no English, and as an orator in his own right.

He served with the Maori Pioneer Battalion of World War I, and was severely wounded in France. In recent years, these wounds caused the amputation of both legs, but he remained a noted figure at Maori meetings, speaking in a strong rich voice from his wheelchair.

A member of the Ngati Tarawhai subtribe of Te Arawa, his knowledge of Maori tradition and ceremonial was unsurpassed in the territory of the Arawa people and beyond. He spoke fluent French, and often would amaze a European visitor with his French interpretation of a Maori welcome.

Elisabeth Bellingham

More than 500 people attended the funeral service of Mrs John Bellingham at the Church of St Stephen the Martyr, Opotiki, among them many Maoris, who had come to love her greatly during her husband's time as vicar of the parish.

During the service, the Archbishop of New Zealand mentioned the rare honour which had been bestowed on Mrs Bellingham — the giving of a Maori name, Irihapiti Te Aroha, meaning Elisabeth the Beloved One.

The local Maori people showed their sorrow in a tribute published in the local Opotiki paper. Mrs Bellingham is survived by her husband, daughter Judy and son Nigel.