Pa Upoko Takau Ariki

Pa Upoko Takau Ariki
High Chiefess of Takitumu
The ruins of the old limestone Palace of Pa
Reign	1855–1895
Predecessor	Pa Tepou Ariki
Successor	Pa Maretu Ariki
Born	Ngatangiia, Rarotonga
Died	19 March 1896
Spouse	Obura
House	House of Takitumu
Dynasty	Pa Dynasty

Pa Upoko Takau Ariki (? – 19 March 1896) was a sovereign of the Cook Islands. She was the ariki of the Pa dynasty, one of the two chiefdoms of the Takitumu tribe on the island of Rarotonga.

Early life

Pa Upoko (also known as Mere Pa or Mary Pa) was the daughter of Pa Tepou Ariki. She succeeded her father after his death in 1855, becoming the second female chieftainess in Rarotonga.^[1] She married Obura (also spelled Opura) in 1871, a missionary and son of Maretu I, one of the first Christian converts in 1823. They had no children but adopted Pa Maretu and Pa Tetianui.

Lord Glasgow

The following address of welcome was given by Pa Upoko Takau Ariki (Queen Pa) to Lord Glasgow, the Governor of New Zealand, and his family who visited the Cook Islands in 1894.

"Welcome, O son of Pa and Kainuku; welcome, O Governor of New Zealand! Come and repose under the Pu-ara (screw-pine tree). Look round and see the vaka-nui (large canoes) Takitumu, Puaikura, and Te Au-o-Tonga. The canoes are good, O, Ariki; let us live in peace! Welcome to the high-sided canoe of Takitumu; welcome our son; let us thank the Lord in his goodness for thus bringing us together. Welcome! O, son; here are Pa and Kainuku, the Ariki of Takitumu, with our chiefs, and all the people under us from Taakarua to Torea-iva, to receive you, your lady, family, and all who are with you! Welcome in the love of friendship! Welcome!".^[2]

Later life

Pa Upoko abdicated in 1895 due to old age and illness. She was the oldest recorded reigning chieftainess in Rarotonga, having ruled for at least 40 years.^[3] She was succeeded by her adopted son, Pa Maretu. She died on Thursday the 19th of March 1896. Pa Upoko's husband, Obura, died in 1888. Her obituary said she had ruled her people with justice and care.^[4]

See also

• History of the Cook Islands
• Kingdom of Rarotonga
• House of Ariki

Notes

1. "Cook Islands Heads of State". Worldwide Guide to Women in Leadership.
2. "Address by Queen Pa". Auckland Star. April 17, 1894. p. 5.
3. "Rarotonga News". Auckland Star. September 13, 1890. p. 8.
4. "Death of a Queen". Auckland Star. April 13, 1896. p. 2.

References

• Maretu. Cannibals and Converts edited by Marjorie Crocombe, University of the South Pacific, 1987; ISBN 982-02-0166-7
• Beaglehole, Ernest. Social change in the South Pacific: Rarotonga and Aitutaki, Allen & Unwin, 1957

External links

• The Royal Family Lineage Tangiia-nui Takitumu
• Land Tenure in the Cook Islands - Takitumu: the tribe of Tangiia