MY GRAND FATHER WAS 'ORIKENA APERAHAMA'
ALSO KNOWN AS 'ORI'....
MARRIED 'MEREPAEA POPATA TUTAKI' IN 1930.

MY FATHER WAS THE YOUNGEST CHILD... BORN
AS 'TENATE ORIKENA'... AT 2YRS OLD, MY GRAND FATHER CHANGED HIS NAME TO 'JOSEPH ABRAHAM', HIS OLDER BROTHER BECOME KNOWN AS 'THOMAS ABRAHAM' AND THE ELDEST SISTER'S NAME WAS 'ANN ABRAHAM'. DAD'S ONLY SURVIVING SISTER IS RACHEL ORIKENA.

TO BEGIN WITH, I WHAKAPAPA BACK TO MANGAMUKA MARAE 'NGAPUHI' AND NGA WHENUA... I UNDERSTAND MY WHANAU WHAKAPAPA TO ALL MARAE IN THE NORTHLAND...

I NEED TO KNOW MY DADDY'S SIDE... IN ORDER TO KNOW MYSELF. I KNOW MY MUM'S SIDE INSIDE OUT, BUT FEEL VERY DEPRIVED WHEN IT COMES TOO MY DAD'S SIDE.

Tena koe Bexxx
I am also from Mangamuka, and although I was only very young at the time, I remember your grandfather when he was living above the school junction in Mangamuka next to the church on the hill.

My parents were John and Ella Tahere and our papakainga is up Otangoroa Road. I remember your Aunty Rachel and if anything your Dad may have gone to Mangamuka School with either my brothers or sisters (as there were heaps of us. Lol). Unfortunately, just like your granddad many of our kuia and kaumatua including my parents have passed on. Our, only surviving Aunty at Mangamuka whom has lived there all her life and will remember your grand dad is Aunty Ellen Reihana whom celebrated her 9Oth birthday a few years ago.

I have often thought about your grand dad over the years and although I was only very young my perception as a child of him was that he was very tuturu ki te ao Maori. Don't get me wrong this was one of the reasons why I often reflect back and think of your grand dad. He never compromised his Maoritanga. I'm not too sure but perhaps your dad might be able to help me out here.

Well Bexxx, I know this may not be much help to you but your grand dad has remained in my thoughts all these years.

I hope this gives you some encouragement.

Jill

Kiaora Jill, I have come across your response to the above user just now (8 years after you posted it I realise.) Not sure if you will even see this message of mine but if you do, I am Arlena Stevens. My biological grandmother is Aunty Ellen Reihana whom you mention above. As you know she passed away many years ago now and we refer to her as Aunty as she adopted my father out when he was a little baby.

I am online to find out if anyone knows any more about a man called Jim Abraham or Abrahams. He used to own the shop in Mangamuka with his wife.

Do you know who I am talking about and if you can give me any contact names for who would know him more? I realise hes probably deceased now but if he has any living children or siblings?

Thank you,
Nga mihi,
Arlena stevens