I am hoping that someone can shed some light on one of my potential ancestors, Tari or Taari Tapua.
There seems no doubt that Tari was the daughter of Te Tapua Hauhaua Patuone and Te Kawehau, and also the sister of Patuone and Tamati Waka Nene among others.
It has been also been reported that Tari was the wife of Treaty of Waitangi signatory Hori Kingi Te Wharerahi and possibly conceived seven children with him between 1809 and 1832, including: Heeni Peepi Wharerahi, Rewiri Tarapata, Te Hira Tupanapana, Pani, Mihaka Tupanapana, Paremoko and Tane Tiapoti.
Then it gets interesting.
Some in my wider ancestral whanau believe that Tari then partnered with a Hokianga shipwright by the name of Hugh Munhall around 1840, and conceived another five children: Robert, Maria (Baker), Annie (Lewisson), Catherine (Kelly) and Elizabeth (Brassey).
Unfortunately there appear to be no official records of any of these births, and there appears to be no record of Tari beyond her partnership with Te Wharerahi.
So, did Tari really have two families? Where and when did she die, and where is she buried ?
Thanking you in anticipation of some clues to solving this mystery.
Owen Poland
Great, great grandson of Elizabeth Brassey (nee Munhall)
owen.poland@xtra.co.nz