Pipiriki

Pipiriki is a settlement in New Zealand, on the east bank of the Whanganui River, due west of the town of Raetihi and 79 kilometres (49 mi) upriver from Whanganui; it was originally on the opposite bank.^[1] It is the location of the Paraweka Marae of the hapū Ngāti Kurawhatia of the iwi [e Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi.^[2]

In the 1840s Pipiriki was a large stockaded settlement, the second largest on the Whanganui River, consisting of eight pā with a total population of 250–300.^[3] Wheat was a major crop from 1848 onward, and the water-powered Kaukore flour mill was built in 1854.^[1] In 1865 three redoubts across the river were besieged for several weeks by Pai Mārire warriors.^[1]

Pipiriki was an important part of the riverboat trade in the 1890s–1920s, marking a major stop for paddle steamers making the 11-hour journey from Whanganui.^[4]

There are four marae in the Pipiriki area affiliated with local iwi and hapū:

• Kirikiriroa Marae and Kirikiriroa meeting house are affiliated with the Ngāti Hāua hapū of Ngāti Ruru.
• Paraweka Marae and Pire Kiore meeting house are affiliated with Ngāti Kurawhatia.
• Te Poti Marae and Te Koanga Rehua meeting house and affiliated with Ngāti Tūhoro.
• Tawhata Marae and Te Hinau meeting house are affiliated with Ngāti Rangitengaue, Ngāti Tū, and the Ngāti Hāua hapū of Ngāti Rangitengaue and Ngāti Tū.^[5][6]

All are considered part of the Whanganui Māori.