IWI / HAPU AFFILIATIONS

Taonui Hikaka lived on the upper Mokau River. He was probably born at Paripari (near present day Te Kuiti) in the early 1840s. His father was also named Taonui Hikaka (also known as Hikaka) of Ngāti Rora, a hapu of Ngāti Maniapoto. His mother may have been Niapo of Ngati Hia, who, along with Taonui senior, was part of a group portrait painted by George French Angas in 1844. Taonui is believed to have had four brothers, Te Kuri (Ngaturi), Tanirau, Te Naunau Hikaka and Tautau; and a sister, Paeata Mihinoa, who married the French trader Louis Hetet.¹

Taonui Hikaka was survived by his wife, whose name is not remembered, and they didn't have any children. It is thought he was aged about 50 years at the time of his death.² Wi Parata of Ngāti Toa and his people travelled to the tangihanga from Porirua. Ngāti Toa people had kinship ties with the Ngāti Roroa people and Taonui Hikaka was considered the chief of that tribe.³

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