Waata Roore Erueti

Roore Erueti was a Tainui Historian and a noted repository of whakapapa.[1] He served as an advisor to King Korokī Mahuta and as the spokesperson for Kingitanga leader, Te Puea Herangi. In 1946, speaking on Te Puea's behalf, Rore accepted the compensation settlement for the 1864 Confiscation of Waikato Land by the Crown.[2] In 1947, Roore was appointed as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his service to the Māori people (see 1947 Birthday Honours (New Zealand)#Officer (OBE)).

Ngāti Māhanga

For the most part Waata Roore Erueti was known simply as Roore Erueti. Sometimes he used the surname Edwards - the English equivalent of Erueti. Roore was born in 1868 at Ngāruawāhia, North of Hamilton.[3] His Mother was Rāhera Waata of Ngāti Kuku, a hapu of Ngāti Māhanga. Roore was raised by Te Aopouri Waata, his Mother's brother. In his late twenties, Roore had already begun to make regular appearances in the Native Land Court, reciting complex descent lines and possessed of narratives that filled the gaps in the evidence of other Witnesses. In a post confiscation context, there was a huge contest for remaining Maori land blocks and having whakapapa knowledge improved the chances of a successful outcome for the hapu. Successful witnesses quickly became spokesman and leaders.

Ngāti Apakura

However, Roore's skillset took him further afield. His Father was Hemi Erueti of Ngāti Apakura, Ngāti Puhiawe and Ngāti Hikairo. Although not to the same extent as his involvement with Ngāti Mahanga, Rore both acknowledged and participated in matters pertinent to his Father's people. In 1947, Rore was a co-petitioner of Karena Tamaki's Petition 29/1947 to the Crown relating to Ngāti Apakura land near Lake Ngāroto. [4]

Historical Accounts that reference Roore Erueti/Edwards
  • Journal of the Polynesian Society Volume.64:189, 191, 195; Volume 65:54 Genealogies I & II; Volume 71:305.[5]
  • Kelly,Leslie (1949)Tainui: the story of Hoturoa and his descendants
  • Jones, Pei Te Hurinui; Biggs, Bruce (1995). Nga Iwi o Tainui: The Traditional History of the Tainui People/Nga Koorero Tuku Iho o Nga Tuupuna. Auckland University Press. ISBN 1869401190.
  • Jones, Pei Te Hurinui; King Potatau

Waata Rore Edwards passed away in 1952 at the age of 84 Years.[6]

References
  1. RORE ERUETI; Tribal historian. Hoturoa Genealogy. J.P.S. 64:189, 191, 195; 65:54 Genealogies I & II; 71:305.Index of Māori Names; https://www.waikato.ac.nz/library/maori-names-index/R5.shtml University of Waikato, Hamilton.
  2. McCan,David; Whatiwhatihoe: The Waikato Raupatu ClaimHuia Publishers,p.208; https://books.google.co.nz/books?id=Sn6LZ6YNFI4C&lpg=PA208&ots=ZLrh67gKdQ&dq=Roore%20Erueti&pg=PA208#v=onepage&q&f=false
  3. Birth year derived from age at Death, see citation below from New Zealand Death Register.
  4. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION ON PETITION NO. 29 OF 1947, OF KARENA TAMAKI AND OTHERS, CONCERNING CERTAIN LANDS IN NGAROTO PARISH Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1949 Session I, G-06c; https://www.atojs.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/atojs?a=d&d=AJHR1949-I.2.2.6.4&cl=&srpos=0&e=-------10--1------0tarawera--&st=1
  5. See also, Index of Māori Names; https://University of Waikato Index; www.waikato.ac.nz/library/maori-names-index/R5.shtml
  6. New Zealand Death Registration; 1952/36883, EDWARDS, Waata Roore; age:84Years
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