This biography has been re-published in full with permission. Licensed by Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage for re-use under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 New Zealand Licence. This biography, written by Hotu Te Kuru, was first published in the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography in 1996. It was translated into te reo Māori by the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography team.
Born: 1877 or 1878, New Zealand
Died: 30 September 1937
Country most active: New Zealand
Also known as: Te Paea Kīngi
Te Paea was the eldest daughter of Hēmi Tonoriri Kīngi and Ākinihi Ngaro Brown. Her father was a direct descendant of Te Whareumu of Ngāti Manu, now regarded as Ngāpuhi; her mother was the eldest daughter of Hōne and Rīria Brown, both descendants of Te Ruki Kawiti of Ngāti Hine. She had five sisters and three brothers who, like herself, all married into prominent northern families.
Te Paea was born probably in 1877 or 1878, at Ōtirīa, a small settlement near Whāngārei, where her parents farmed; she was baptised on 17 November 1878. Most of her adolescent life was spent helping on the farm and looking after her younger brothers and sisters. Te Paea’s parents owned land in many places, and the family moved between Porotī, Ōtīria, Ngāraratunua and Glenbervie. She developed a love for her people and the land, and became determined and resolute. She was a very hard worker who held respect for her elders and the Anglican church.
About 1898 Te Paea married Wiremu Hōne Cherrington (Keretene), who, in 1903, became probably the first member of Ngāti Hine to be ordained an Anglican priest. They were to have six sons, Hōri (George) Winiana, Samuel Rakuraku Tāwaewae, Tāmati, Mataki, Hōtorene and Hēmi (James) Tonoriri; and two daughters, Darling and Wikitōria. Darling, Samuel and Tāmati died at a very early age. Because of Wiremu Cherrington’s work as a missioner, they lived at many places in Auckland, Northland and the Gisborne district. The Cherringtons were quick to realise the value of education and sent their children to boarding schools. Wikitōria attended Queen Victoria School for Māori Girls; most of the boys attended St Stephen’s School. George, however, remained to work on the farm, perhaps to ensure that his father had sufficient time for his mission work.
Te Paea became invaluable to the courts and relatives in land dealings because she knew most of the owners. She kept a meticulous record of land owned by her and her relatives, and when establishing the boundaries had no hesitation in moving the pegs if she thought others were trying to encroach. She was involved with Apirana Ngata’s land development schemes, helped reorganise titles in the Mōtatau block, and showed a keen interest in protecting sites of spiritual significance.
In 1920 Te Paea’s brother Reweti converted to the Rātana faith. After a family row he decided to sell his land interest at Ngāraratunua. Te Paea sold all her interests in Porotī, and with this money and other funds the family were able to buy Reweti’s land, which included a cemetery. After consultation with her husband and local relatives they decided to build a family church within the burial grounds. The timber came from Wiremu Cherrington’s family in Ōrauta, near Ōtīria, and was railed to Ngāraratunua.
Te Paea became very influential in her tribal area. She was a member of the Mother’s Union, an organisation that promoted the sanctity of marriage and emphasised the mother’s role in developing the child’s spiritual well-being. She founded 30 Māori branches in the Northland area from the mid 1930s, was the enrolling president for the Whāngārei branch from 1935 and served as president. She was instrumental in forming the Komiti Wāhine o Ngāti Kahu, which covered the districts of Ngāraratunua, Glenbervie, Kamo, Mōtatau, Ōtīria and Oromāhoe. It dealt with a range of health, welfare and land concerns. Younger members of Te Paea’s family followed her in this work.
Because of her mana, Te Paea’s opinions were sought-after and she had a great influence on others in land, marital and religious matters. A big woman in later life, she laid down the law to her family, especially her brothers. She died on 30 September 1937 at her home in Ngāraratunua. Here she was buried with her parents and relatives on the land she had loved and fought for; here also her children and many grandchildren were laid to rest. A soldiers’ memorial hall has been erected and named after her.