Pinepine Te Rika (1857/58–1954)

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Pinepine Te Rika (1857/58–1954)

New Zealand tribal leader. Born probably in 1857 or 1858, at Rahitiroa, east of Te Waiiti in Bay of Plenty, New Zealand; died Aug 9, 1954, at Tuapou, Matahi, New Zealand; dau. of Te Rika Te Wheura and Tuhiwai Taheke; m. Rua Kenana (religious prophet), 1880s; children: 17.

Became spiritual wife of religious leader who took 6 other wives; was keeper of sacred covenant, large English-language Bible, and lived most of her life in imposed isolation and purity; upon husband's arrest, as religious followers dwindled, began to live more ordinary life.

See also Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (Vol. 3).