Porotito Rangatira title issues highlighted

The well known local Master Carver, Michael Tavioni has come forward to clarify some issues surrounding the recent claim to the Porotito Rangatira title by Fanau Hunt.
Last week, Fanau Hunt applied to the Court to be declared the rightful holder of the “Porotito Rangatira” title.
Last week’s Herald reported Justice Savage noting there were no objections, the matter being resolved and Hunt having the right to hold the title.
Hunt had referred to an investiture taking place in 2002 on a paepae near Arai te Tonga.
Earlier on October 9 2009, Cook Islands News reported a holder of the Porotito Rangatira title, Daniel Rongo Daniel, would challenge Hunt’s claim. Daniel had been invested with the title on 15 April 1986 the year the previous holder, his father Rongo Daniel Ngongi passed away. Daniel’s father had held the title from 1972 to 1986 and his grandmother –Ngongi’s mother – held the title from 1956 until her death in 1972.
While he was overseas in the 1980s, until his return in 2007, his relative Michael Tavioni looked after the title.
Mike Tavioni informed the Herald on Tuesday neither Daniel nor he knew Fanau’s case was coming before the Court. That is why they were not present.
Tavioni said according to evidence which he has, Fanau has no legal right to anything of Porotito Rangatira, title or lands. Tavioni said he was spokesperson for the descendants of Ngatae, Ana and Tepeta.
Michael Tavioni gave the Herald a brief history of the title holders as follows;
Porotito Rangatira adopted Pi (f) from Takaia Mitaera.
When Pi married Puananga, Porotito Rangatira gave her the “Moenga” consisting of the following;
1. The title “Porotito Rangatira”
2. Marae at Teopu Kaikaveka 112 and Kaikaveka 1037
3. Homestead at Parekura (this is where Porotito Rangatira-and his parents-Pi Porotito, Ngatae Mitaera Porotito and Teipo as well as other family members are buried).
4. Raukurupara 120, Tauae, etc, as Rau Tao.

Then the title came to Ngatae Mitaera Porotito Rangatira (death certificate Ngatae Mitaera Porotito Rangatira 69 years, died 10 September 1937, Parekura, his father Punanga and mother Pi Porotito)
Pi Ngatae Mitaera “Utu” or took care of the title from 1937 to 1951 until her aunty Ana a Parima was asked to hold the title Porotito.
Ana Porotito Rangatira (Ana a Oarima-Ngatae’s half sister ) held the title from 1951 to 1972 then the title went to Rongo Daniel Ngongi Porotito Rangatira (Ngatae’s nephew) who held the title from 1972 to 1986.
Daniel Rongo Daniel Porotito Rangatira was traditionally invested on 15 April 1986. The investiture was carried out by;
Makea Teremoana Ariki,
Pi Ngatae (caretaker of the Porotito Rangatira title from 1937 to 1951)
Mata Matara (Makirau Mataiapo from Aroa Arorangi)
Ngatae Mitaera Michael tavioni
Alex John Numa
Pepe Nicholas Ngarepa Rangatira
Other witnesses who were also present were;
Orometua: Tangimetua Tangimetua, Mrs Mata Rongo Daniel, June Jojn Numa, Valerie John Numa, Shawn Rowan Numa Fatialofa, Terangi Daniel, Mrs Eliaba, Joe Daniel, Mere Daniel, Rouru Daniel, Timote Turu, Tai Joseph Jnr, William Vakatini, Mr & Mrs Peter Story, Mr & Mrs Tata Peyroux, Mr & Mrs Taiki Henry, Mr & Mrs Taruia Ringiao, Mr & Mrs Meti Tiaiti, Mr & Mrs Teikamata Tangapiri.
Note: Ngatae Mitaera Teatuakaro Michael Tavioni Te Rangi Nui o Iva has been involved in the care take (utu) of the Porotito Rangatira title with his mother Pi Ngatae Mitaera since the 1950’s until the day of presentation to Ariki Nui Tuheitia recently at Makea Paepae Ariki. Daniel Porotito Rangatira arrived the following week from overseas.
Tavioni told the Herald the Porotito family knows its place at Makea’s Paepae Ariki and said “we will continue to be in our place as usual when Makea calls the Makea Kopu Ariki.”
He said Makea knows who Porotito is.

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