HAKUENE, IHAKA TE TAI (1836-1887) was born at Te Rawhiti, Bay of Islands, of illustrious lineage. He was the second son of Whai Hakuene, of the Ngai-te-wake hapu of Ngapuhi and was also connected with the Rarawa. He was too young to take part in Heke's war. Having married Ahenata Takurua, a daughter of Te Kemara Tareha, chief of Waitangi, her health forbade him accepting the invitation of the Rev B. Y. Ashwell to study for the ministry, but he soon became a lay reader. When Te Tai was 25 years old his father died, having previously designated him as his successor in the chieftainship. Truthful, honourable and modest, with a keen sense of responsibility, Ihaka devoted his talents and strong common sense to improving the social condition of his people. He acted as treasurer to the Maori committee which in the early eighties placed a memorial stone on the site of the signing of the treaty of Waitangi.

Te Tai first stood for the Northern Maori seat in 1876, and he represented it from 1884 to the time of his death. This happened on 6 Apr 1887, while he was attending the meeting of the synod in Auckland. Ihaka was survived for a few weeks only by his second wife Ruiha (whom he married on 25 Mar 1885), daughter of Matene te Whiwhi and widow of Hori Kerei of Rawhiti. Hakuene was the most distinguished layman in the diocese. In Parliament he warmly advocated Bible reading in schools, particularly for natives.

N.Z.P.D., 1884-87; Church Gazette, Jul 1887; N.Z. Herald, Apr 1887, 5 May 1888 (Ri Maumau).

Reference: Volume 1, page 188

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