Whatumoana Paki, the husband of the late Maori Queen, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu. Photo / Sarah Ivey
Whatumoana Paki, who died Thursday, was a man who was a steadying, loving and affectionate Kingitanga presence - especially to the woman he adored, the late Maori Queen, Te Atairangikaahu.
Mr Paki, Dame Te Ata's husband and King Tuheitia's father, was born in Huntly to Wetere and Francis Paki. He
was of Ngati Whawhakia and Te Aupouri descent.
A coalminer and farmer, in his younger years he was known as one of the main maintenance men for marae along the Waikato River.
By the 1950s, his sweetheart was Piki Mahuta - the heir apparent to the Kingitanga throne. They married in 1952 and had seven children: Heeni Wharemaru, Kiri Tokia Ete Tomairangi, Tuheitia, Maharaia, Mihikiteao, Kiki and Te Manawanui.
In 1966, when King Koroki died, Mrs Paki became Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu, the Maori Queen. She was created a dame in later years.
