Hōri Eruera Mackie

TAKAHIWAI
NORTHERN ADVOCATE, 26 APRIL 1932, PAGE 8

(From Our Own Correspondent.)
The return of several more young married people to their own settlement, although it is the result of loss of work elsewhere, will no doubt confer blessings on them in the future. One is reminded of the fable in which the dying father called his two sons to him, saying that the only treasure he had to leave them lay within a foot or two of the surface of the soil. Eagerly the sons dug up every inch of their land, with the result that it was cultivated, and in time the sons made their fortunes. A more or less literal application of this will probably be made by those driven in extremity back to the land. They will cause unproductive hills and valleys “to blossom as the rose,” and thereby do their bit to bring wealth to this fair land. Likely enough, will be a double wealth, for in concerted village life there is possible much congenial social intercourse such as cannot be known when the members of a community are scattered far and wide.

TAKAHIWAI
NORTHERN ADVOCATE, 30 APRIL 1934, PAGE 8

Anzac Day. This year Anzac Day was celebrated for the first time in Takahiwai, owing to the efforts of Mrs Ngawaka Pirihi. The brief service was conducted in the hall, where the settlement was well represented by adults and children. A number of people from One Tree Point; also were in attendance. Mrs Ngawaka Pirihi gave a short address, followed by a prayer. Mr Jason. Pitman, Mr Maki Pirihi, and Mr George Mackie also spoke. The remarks of the speakers were then translated by Mrs Ngawaka Pirihi for the benefit of the Europeans present. The gathering- then repaired to the memorial stone of Rimi Paki, who served in the War, and died in a London hospital. This monument was used as a. cenotaph. Mr Oamaru Johnson, also was at the front with the Māori contingent, placed a wreath on the memorial in the name of the Maori soldiers, and Mr Ngawaka Pirihi, who was with the Main Body in the ambulance division for four years, placed a wreath in honour of the Europeans. Picturesque and touching were the many offerings of flowers, particularly by the tiny children and there were also some beautiful wreaths.

Mr. George. Mackie, Fine Takahiwai Maori - NORTHERN ADVOCATE, 2 MARCH 1943

OBITUARY

After a long illness, the death has 1 occurred of Mr George Mackie, aged 1 82 years, at Takahiwai. where he was a resident for over 50 years. His father was the late Eruera Mackie, of Whananaki, a member of the Akita; Tribe, and his mother, the first cousin of the late King Tawhiao, great-grandfather of the present ruling King Koroki, of the Waikato. At the age of 18 years, Mr Mackie and Mata Te Kahuitara, eldest daughter of the late Chief Wiki and Tauhou Pirihi, of Takahiwai, were married in the Anglican Church at Taumārere, Bay of Islands. They lived for some time at Whananaki and later came to reside at Takahiwai, where Mr Mackie, with the willing help of his wife, worked hard to make a home, for at first the land which they took up was in virgin bush. Years later proved their successful efforts as by that time their family of 15 were grown up and realised with deep appreciation the love and long years of patient hard work and toil which their parents had gone through, not forgetting the big part they played together in outside activities tor the good of the community. Humble in manner, more active than words, Mr Mackie was loved and respected by all who knew him. It was in the year 1938 the happy union was ended when his wile passed on to Higher Service. Mr Mackie immediately resigned himself from outside circles to the welfare of his family. The nine children surviving him the three sons and six daughters, the youngest of whom is doing war work in Wellington. Of the 53 grandchildren. Private Rimi Paki, one of the first of six to serve overseas has returned after being wounded in the Crete campaign. Others still serving are: Corporal Wiki Peters, Privates Arthur Rata, Pat and Puhi Mackie, Whare Mackie and Willie Paki; the latter, who was wounded recently, saw Greece and Crete with his now returned brother. Listed wounded also was Private Puhi Mackie, who has now returned to his unit, and Private Arthur Rata, who was • seriously wounded necessitating the amputation of the lower thigh. Serving in H.M. Forces' in New Zealand are Privates William Tito. Walter Pārore. Corporal Thomas Tito, Sergeant Jack Pārore and Seaman, Carlton Paki. Fifty-four great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren bring the total of the late Mr Mackie’s descendants to 110.

EVENING POST, VOLUME CXXXV, ISSUE 59, 11 MARCH 1943

MR. GEORGE MACKIE

One of the best-known Māori in North Auckland, Mr George Mackie, who was well known in the Wellington and Wairarapa districts, died at Takahiwai, last week at the age of 82. Born at Whananaki, and a member of the Akitai tribe, he took up bush land at Takahiwai half a century ago and established a fine home and dairy farm. His mother was a first cousin of the late King Tawhiao, great-grand-father of the present King Korokī of the Waikato. Of his 15 children, nine are living, and there are 110 direct descendants, including 16 in the Armed Forces.