Mutu Kapa

Mutu Paratene Kapa MBE (1870 – 10 November 1968) was a New Zealand tribal leader, orator, sportsman, and Anglican priest. Of Māori descent, he identified with the Te Aupōuri and Waikato iwi. He was born in Ohinepu, Waikato, New Zealand, in 1870.[1]

In the 1964 Queen's Birthday Honours, Kapa was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, for services to the Māori people.[2]

Biography

Kapa was born at Ōhinepū, Te Kōpua to parents Waimārama Pene Ruruanga and Paratene Kātene Kapa. Hi father worked as a farmer and had been one of the first Māori missionaries in the Tai Tokerau area. Kapa was very athletic in his youth and played numerous sports, including rowing, rugby, football, hockey, tennis and wood-chopping. He excelled in rowing and rugby, making it as an All Black trialist in 1905.

The history of the Anglican church in the area as well as encouragement from his family led to him to pursue the ministry. He was educated at Te Rau Theological College, Gisborne, and was ordained a deacon in 1907 and became a priest in 1911.[1][3]

Kapa died in November 1968. His tangihanga was held at Te Puea Memorial Marae, and he was buried at the St James Anglican Church in Māngere Bridge, Auckland.[4]

References
  1. Henare, Manuka. "Mutu Paratene Kapa". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  2. "No. 43345". The London Gazette (3rd supplement). 13 June 1964. p. 4978.
  3. "Reverend Mutu Kapa sends greetings to the Maori Battalion | 28 Māori Battalion". 28maoribattalion.org.nz. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  4. "Mutu Paratene Kapa, M.B.E., Priest". Te Ao Hou. September 1968. p. 2. Retrieved 10 February 2022 – via Papers Past.
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