Tinomana Mereana Ariki facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tinomana Mereana Ariki |
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| High Chiefess of Puaikura | |
Tinomana Mereana Ariki (circa 1896)
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| Reign | 1881–1908 |
| Predecessor | Tinomana Makea Tamuera |
| Successor | Tinomana Napa II |
| Born | circa 1848 Arorangi, Rarotonga |
| Died | 5 September 1908 (aged 60) |
| Spouse | John Mortimer Salmon |
| House | House of Puaikura |
| Dynasty | Tinomana Dynasty |
Tinomana Mereana Ariki (1848 – 1908) was an important leader, known as an ariki, in the Cook Islands. An ariki is a high chief or queen, holding a lot of power and respect. She was the ariki of the Tinomana family, a powerful group within the Puaikura tribe on Rarotonga island. She was one of the two most important ariki leaders on the island, second only to Makea Takau.
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Who Was Tinomana Mereana?
Tinomana Mereana was born around 1848. She was the younger daughter of Tinomana Teariki Tapurangi. Her grandmother on her mother's side was Makea Te Vaerua. This made her a relative of Makea Takau, another very powerful ariki.
Becoming a Leader
Tinomana Mereana became the ariki in 1881. She took over after her brother, Tinomana Makea Tamuera, passed away. This showed her importance in the Tinomana family line.
Her Family Life
Tinomana Mereana married John Mortimer Salmon, who had English and American roots. At first, some of the other high chiefs on Rarotonga were not happy about their marriage. The couple even tried to run away together, but they were brought back. Eventually, they were allowed to marry with the blessing of Queen Makea. They got married on the island of Atiu. Tinomana had five children with her husband, but sadly, all of them passed away before her.
When Did Tinomana Mereana Pass Away?
Tinomana Mereana Ariki passed away on September 5, 1908, after a short illness. She was 60 years old. She was buried three days later in the family graveyard at Queen Makea's Palace grounds.
Choosing the Next Tinomana Ariki
After Tinomana Mereana's death, there was a disagreement about who should become the next ariki. The Tinomana family had three main branches, and each branch wanted their own person to take the title.
The Family Discussion
The family was advised to hold a meeting to choose the next leader. Two of the family branches, Ngati Tauei (Napa family) and Ngati Papehia, held a meeting. They invited the third branch, Take (Tuoro family), to join them, but they refused. The Take family decided to work with other local leaders, called mataiapos, hoping their chosen person would be elected.
The Ngati Tauei and Ngati Papehia families chose a person named Napa as their candidate. They sent his name to the Governor of New Zealand for approval. This was a new rule: the election of ariki and other leaders now needed the Governor's approval.
A Different Choice
However, the mataiapos, without asking the authorities, quickly chose and officially named a young man named Tuoro from the Take family as the new ariki. By doing this, they did not follow the new rule about the Governor's approval. They also ignored an old custom. This custom said that for a new ariki to be chosen for certain areas, the approval of Pa Ariki and Kainuku Ariki was needed before any ceremony could happen.
In the end, Tinomana Napa II became the successor to Tinomana Mereana.
Tinomana Palace: Her Home
Near the Arorangi Church, which was built in 1849, stands the old home of Tinomana Mereana Ariki. This building is known as Tinomana Palace. It was built for the Tinomana ariki by the British. The traditional Māori name for the Palace is Au Maru. This beautiful name means "The Peace Brought by Christianity."
