.jpg)
The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]
Utiku Potaka
Utiku Potaka, Farmer, Rata. A Maori chief, Mr. Utiku was born at Otamakapua, Rangitikei, in 1836, and is of the Hauiti-Ngatiraukawa tribe. During his boyhood, which he spent at Waikato and Rotorua, he came but very little in contact with Europeans, and therefore he clings to the old Maori forms and ceremonies. The farms owned by him he leases, subjecting his tenants to certain improvements. He started a sawmill at Utiku (formerly called Kaikora), which he has also leased. When a young man, Mr. Utiku was several times fighting in the tribal wars, the last one of which was during the forties, at which time he met Sir Donald McLean. He also fought against the Hau Haus, and was with Colonel Whitmore's party. In 1870 he married a daughter of Ihakara, by whom he had one daughter, but was unfortunate in losing his wife two years later. In 1874 he married a sister of Mr. Broughton, of Hawkes Bay, and at the time of writing (1896) has a family of ten — six of whom are boys. Mr. Utiku sees the great advantage of intercourse with Europeans, and is giving all his children a good education at the best schools. He has built a large ten-roomed house at Rata. and furnished his best rooms regardless of expense. The property at Rata, which is all cleared with the exception of a small clump reserved for firewood, timber, etc., is fenced and subdivided. Mr. Utiku also claims land in the Waikato, Kaikoia, on both side of the Hautapu, and the left side of the Rangitkei River.
.jpg)
Mr. and Mrs. Utiku Potaka.