Morete, Maraea (1844–1907)

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Morete, Maraea (1844–1907)

New Zealand tribal leader and writer. Name variations: Maria Morris. Born Maria Morris, July 24, 1844, at either Whakaari or Waikokopu, New Zealand; died Oct 8, 1907, on tribal land at Ruangarehu, Te Karaka; dau. of William Morris (whaler) and Puihi (tribal leader of Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki); attended Wesleyan Native Institution, Auckland; m. Pera Taihuka, 1863 (died 1868); children: 1; (with local farmer, J.B. Poynter) 1 (b. around 1873).

Captured by followers of guerilla fighter, Te Kooti (1868); escaped and later appeared as witness before Supreme Court in Wellington, at trials of Te Kooti's followers; recorded autobiographical recollections, Reminiscences.

See also Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (Vol. 1).

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