Kiriona Family Investigation

KIRIONA FAMILY - INVESTIGATION REPORT

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Investigation Date: December 26, 2024

Sources: Waitangi Tribunal, FamilySearch, Facebook, 100 Māori Leaders

OVERVIEW

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The Kiriona family is a prominent Māori family with connections to multiple iwi

including Ngāti Kahungunu (the iwi connected to Wairoa region).

KEY INDIVIDUAL: KINGI KIRIONA

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Name: Kingi Kiriona

Iwi Affiliations: Ngāti Ruanui, Ngā Rauru, Ngāti Apa, Ngāti Kahungunu

Current Roles:

• Member of Waitangi Tribunal
• Director of Whakaata Māori (Māori Television)
• Founder of TupuOra Education and Development Ltd
• Former Deputy Chief Executive, Mātauranga Māori at Te Aka Whai Ora (Māori Health Authority) - 2023

Background:

• Orator, kapa haka exponent, composer, educator, broadcaster
• Prolific songwriter with close to 100 waiata and haka
• Focus on te reo Māori and tikanga Māori development

Waitangi Tribunal Inquiries:

• Standing Panel (Remaining Historical Claims)
• Waipāoa Remedies
• Identity and Culture

SIGNIFICANCE TO INVESTIGATION

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• NGĀTI KAHUNGUNU CONNECTION: Kingi Kiriona is affiliated with Ngāti Kahungunu,

the same iwi that Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa Trust represents.

• WAITANGI TRIBUNAL ROLE: As a Tribunal member, Kingi Kiriona would have

involvement in historical land claims - potentially relevant to the

Winikerei Case allegations.

• WAIPĀOA REMEDIES: His involvement in this inquiry suggests connection to

land remediation issues in the Gisborne/Wairoa region.

VIOLET WAIKOHAI HOPF KIRIONA (DECEASED)

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Death: December 19, 2025 (recent)

Birth: August 8, 1945

Location: Wairoa area

Connection: Member of Kiriona family, connected to Ngā Hapū o Taihoamarae

Note: Her passing was announced on Ngā Hapū o Taihoamarae Facebook page,

indicating connection to Wairoa Māori community.

HISTORICAL KIRIONA RECORDS

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From FamilySearch:

• Kiriona (1842-) - Born in Foxton, Horowhenua, New Zealand
• Father: Te Uawahirangi (born ~1816)
• Mother: Whakamaro (born ~1820)

This suggests the Kiriona name has been in New Zealand since at least the 1840s.

POTENTIAL CONNECTIONS TO PROTOCOL 777

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• NGĀTI KAHUNGUNU: Both Kingi Kiriona and Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa Trust

are connected to Ngāti Kahungunu iwi.

• WAIROA REGION: The Kiriona family has documented presence in Wairoa,

the same region as the Mahia Beach Holiday Park purchase.

• WAITANGI TRIBUNAL: Kingi Kiriona's role on the Tribunal could provide

insight into historical land claims in the region.

• LAND CLAIMS: The Waipāoa Remedies inquiry he's involved in relates to

land issues in the Gisborne/Wairoa area.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS

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While the Kiriona family has clear connections to Ngāti Kahungunu and the

Wairoa region, NO DIRECT EVIDENCE was found linking them to:

• Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa Trust board or management
• The Mahia Beach Holiday Park purchase
• Any of the Napier entities (Langley Twigg, Princess Alexandra Trust, etc.)

The user's reference to "Kiriona connections to Tātau Tātau Trust" may refer to:

• General iwi connections through Ngāti Kahungunu
• Potential involvement in Waitangi settlement processes
• Community connections in the Wairoa region

FURTHER INVESTIGATION NEEDED

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• Search for any Kiriona family members on Tātau Tātau Trust board
• Check if any Kirionas are beneficiaries of the Trust
• Investigate any Kiriona involvement in the Winikerei Case
• Research connections between Kiriona family and Judge Dykes/Ruby Bock

Sources:

• https://www.waitangitribunal.govt.nz/en/about/about-the-waitangi-tribunal/tribunal/kingi-kiriona
• https://100maorileaders.com/leaders/kingi-kiriona
• https://www.whakaatamaori.co.nz/board-of-directors/kingi-kiriona
• https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LHC7-D4T/kiriona-1842
• Facebook: Ngā Hapū o Taihoamarae page