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 Rarotonga is the largest and most populous of the Cook Islands. The island is volcanic, with an area of , and is home to almost 75% of the country's population, with 13,007 of a total population of 17,434. The Cook Islands' Parliament buildings a ...

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. 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 Adoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting of another, usually a child, from that person's biological or legal parent or parents. Legal adoptions permanently transfer all rights and responsibilities, along with filiation, from ...

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!".''

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. 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.

Notes

References

*Maretu. ''Cannibals and Converts'' edited by Marjorie Crocombe, University of the South Pacific, 1987; *Beaglehole, Ernest. ''Social change in the South Pacific: Rarotonga and Aitutaki'', Allen & Unwin, 1957

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