Ihakara Puketapu

Ihakara Porutu "Kara" Puketapu (26 February 1934 – 7 July 2023) was a New Zealand public servant and Māori leader. He served as Secretary of Maori Affairs and was later chair of Te Āti Awa based in Waiwhetū, Lower Hutt.

Early life and education Puketapu was born in Waiwhetū on 26 February 1934 to Īhāia Puketapu of the Te Āti Awa iwi and Taranaki-born Vera May Yeates, a Pākehā, who were both on their second marriages. He attended primary school in Waiwhetu and attended the Wellington Technical college. of the Ministry of Maori Affairs (later named the Ministry of Māori Affairs and ultimately Te Puni Kōkiri) to become Secretary of Maori Affairs.

Professional career In 1973, Puketapu was appointed chief administration officer with Foreign Affairs in the New Zealand House in London, Great Britain.

Puketapu also rose in standing within his iwi to become chairperson of the Te Āti Awa rūnanga (tribal council). In 2011, they clashed with local authorities over the custodianship of waka.

In 2008, Puketapu resigned from the Port Nicholson Block Treaty Settlement Trust chaired by Sir Ngatata Love over the compensation for Waiwhetū land confiscated by the Crown in the 1940s.

Rugby career Puketapu was a rugby union player in his youth, playing for the New Zealand Māori team, and later became involved in coaching rugby league. Puketapu became involved with the Wainuiomata Lions both as a coach and as club president. With the Wainuiomata Lions, he won three national titles in the 1990s.

Death Puketapu died on 7 July 2023 at the age of 89.