TAIPUA TE PUNA I RANGIRIRI, HOANI, a leading Ngati-Raukawa chief of Otaki (where he was born in 1839), was closely related through his mother to Ngati-Toa. He was educated by Archdeacon Hadfield in the mission school. During the war Taipua assisted in maintaining the mail service from Wellington to Auckland, passing frequently through hostile country (1861-63). On the death of his relative Te Puke te Ao (1886), he was chosen as candidate for the Western Maori seat in Parliament, and defeated Te Wheoro by 600 votes and three other candidates (including Taiwhanga and Kaihau). Though not a brilliant speaker, Taipua was sound and practical, and sincerely anxious to benefit his people. He was generally opposed to the party in power, and was twice re-elected (1887 and 1890).

N.Z. Graphic, 4 Jun 1893 (p); N.Z. Times, 10 Oct 1907. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 182

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