Alternate Names:
Heeni Ngarino Maraea Hori Kingi
Father: George
Mother: Katarina Rangi Whakaahu
Siblings: Hoterere Kawiti (twin)
Spouse: Maihi Paraone Te Kuhanga Kawiti, Hoterene Willoughby Hoterene/Shortland
Children: Hohepa “Hohaia” Hokino Paraone Kawiti
Heeni was born about 1846 in Tuakau, Waikato, New Zealand. Her death certificate lists her iwi as Ngati Raukawa an iwi from Waikato. Heeni’s father George was born between 1806-1822 in Germany. Her mother’s name was either Katarina or Katarini but she was also known as Katherine. Katherine was born about 1920 in Lower Waikato.
Heeni was baptised at the Waiomio branch of the Church of Latter Day Saints on October 1, 1888.
Figure 1. Colourised portrait of Heeni in frame. Digitised by Te Paea Hoori, 2016. Original photo in possession of Ponderosa House, Moerewa, New Zealand.
Figure 2. Colourised portrait of Heeni. Digitised by Te Paea Hoori, 2016. Original photo in possession of Ponderosa House, Moerewa, New Zealand.
Children
Daughter Miria was born about 1862 in Waiomio.
Son Neri was born about 1864 in Waiomio.
Twins Piri and Waa were born in 1868 in Waiomio. Piri died on July 26, 1893 in his hometown at the age of 25. Waa’s date of death is unknown.
Hohepa was born in 1871 in Kawakawa. He died in his hometown, although the date is unknown.
Huia was born on April 8, 1873 in Waiomio. She was baptised as an adult on her birthday in 1888 at the Church of Latter Day Saints branch in Waiomio. Also known as Ngahuia, she was known as Kani Mama by her grandchildren. “Huia” is the past tense of “gathering” and “Rui” refers to the chasing away of the spirit from the body lying in state, so some of her family speculate she may have been named or renamed when a family member passed. She died on June 18, 1943 in Waiomio and was buried in the Wairere Cemetery in Waiomio on June 21, 1943.
Kirihi was born on April 17, 1877 in Kawakawa. He died on February 20, 1964 in Kawakawa at age 86. He is buried at the Wairere Cemetery in Kawakawa.
Toe was born in 1886 In Kawakawa. Toe was only three when his father died. His date of death is unknown.
Figure 3. Maihi and Heeni’s son Piri. Ancestry.com Database.
Heni Ngarino Hoori or Hoterene (1848 - 1936). Ancestry.com Database. Contributed by Stacey Hooks on December 4, 2019. Accessed June 5, 2025.
Heeni died on February 23, 1936 in Kawakawa at the age of 90.
Figures List
Figure 1. Colourised portrait of Heeni in frame. Digitised by Te Paea Hoori, 2016. Original photo in possession of Ponderosa House, Moerewa, New Zealand.
Figure 2. Colourised portrait of Heeni. Digitised by Te Paea Hoori, 2016. Original photo in possession of Ponderosa House, Moerewa, New Zealand.
Figure 3. Maihi and Heeni’s son Piri. Ancestry.com Database. Contributed by Joyce Taylor-Scott.
References
“Heeni Ngarino” Family History Profile. Ancestry.com Database. Contributed by Joyce Taylor-Scott.
Ancestry.com Database. Waiomio, Waiomio Branch, Bay of Islands District, Australasian Mission, 1890 LDS Australasian Mission Report, p.232 [Film 0128889].
7th Generation (Direct)