Tangi and Funeral of Te Rauparaha's Niece, Heeni Te Rei (1921)

Plot Summary

The Honourable Dr. Māui Pōmare (Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Toa) is one of a large number of manuhiri who converge on Kāingarakiraki, a homestead in Ōtaki, to attend the tangi of Heeni Te Rei. Kuia and whānau sit with the tūpāpaku in the tent throughout the tangi. Various kaumātua deliver their whaikōrero, and there are brief shots of korowai and whāriki on display. Later, a horse-drawn glass hearse takes the tūpāpāku from the home to Rangiātea Church. A brass band leads the procession as it continues along the main street of Otaki, to the hill rising above the urupā at the rear of the Rangiātea Church, where she is laid to rest. There is much amusement and clowning around for the camera during preparations for the hākari. A group of young Māori girls perform the canoe poi to the accompaniment of the banjo by Hēnare Tahiwi and violin by Ellen Cook.

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