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Pa Upoko Takau Ariki
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. Early lifePa 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.[1] 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 biological children, but adopted Pa Maretu and Pa Tetianui. Lord GlasgowThe 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.
Later lifePa 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.[3] 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.[4] See alsoNotes
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