Dame Margaret Makea Karika Ariki was a Cook Islands ariki who held the Makea Karika Ariki title from 1949 until her death in 2017. She served in the Legislative Assembly, was an inaugural member and twice president of the House of Ariki, and supported women’s organizations, youth groups, heritage, and environmental conservation.
Background
Born Pauline Margaret Rakera Taripo on 12 December 1919, Margaret was the daughter of Pa George Karika, a decorated First World War soldier and Makea Karika Ariki, and was associated with the chiefly line of Te Au O Tonga on Rarotonga. After the death of her elder sister in 1928, she became an aide to her grandmother, Karika Takau Ariki. She married Ernest Teiho Taripo in 1942, and they had five children: Pauline, Tauira (Vira), George, Tiberio (Rio), and Annie. Her father became Makea Karika Ariki in 1942; following his death in May 1949, she succeeded to the title at the age of 29.
Education
Margaret was educated at St Joseph Primary School and Avarua School on Rarotonga. Her schooling was followed by employment with the Cook Islands Trading Company before her succession to the Makea Karika Ariki title.
Career
Margaret began her working life as a sales assistant at the Cook Islands Trading Company. After succeeding her father as Makea Karika Ariki in 1949, she was appointed to the Rarotonga Island Council and served there until the Cook Islands attained self-government in 1965. She entered the Legislative Assembly after the 1958 general election and served until 1961. In 1967 she became an inaugural member of the House of Ariki and served as vice-president during its first term. She was president of the House of Ariki from 1978 to 1980 and again from 1990 to 1992. She remained the paramount chief of the district vaka of Te Au O Tonga and holder of the Makea Karika Ariki title until her death. As a landowner of the Takitumu Conservation Area, she supported environmental protection, including the transfer of endangered Rarotonga monarch birds to Atiu in 2002 and public opposition to purse seining in 2016.
Achievements
Succeeded her father as Makea Karika Ariki in 1949 and held the chiefly title for 68 years until her death.
Became an inaugural member of the Cook Islands House of Ariki in 1967 and twice served as its president.
Supported the transfer of endangered Rarotonga monarch birds to Atiu in 2002 as part of conservation efforts.
Led public protest activity against purse seining in 2016.
Received a state funeral following her death in September 2017.
Religion
Member of the Cook Islands Christian Church.
Membership
Margaret was an inaugural member of the House of Ariki and held senior leadership roles in community and civic organizations. She served as president of the Girl Guides Cook Islands Association for six years, was patroness of the Cook Islands National Council of Women, and became a patroness of the Te Ipukarea Society in 1996. She was also associated with the Cook Islands Child Welfare Association as president and patron, and served as a patron of the Marae Moana environmental organization.
Inaugural member; served as vice-president during the first term and president from 1978 to 1980 and from 1990 to 1992.
House of Ariki
,
Cook Islands
1967 - 2017
President for six years.
Girl Guides Cook Islands Association
,
Cook Islands
Patroness.
Cook Islands National Council of Women
,
Cook Islands
Patroness from 1996.
Te Ipukarea Society
,
Cook Islands
1996 - 2017
President and patron.
Cook Islands Child Welfare Association
,
Cook Islands
Patron.
Marae Moana
,
Cook Islands
2017
Personality
She was remembered within Cook Islands community and church organizations for her gentleness, humility, generosity, love, and sustained support for young people and community groups.
Quotes from others about the person
She was remembered by Cook Islands community organizations as a respected and devoted leader who continued to support the Girl Guides and other uniformed youth groups throughout her life.
Interests
Environmental conservation, protection of Rarotonga’s natural heritage, church life, and support for Girl Guides and other youth organizations.
Connections
Margaret was the daughter of Pa George Karika and was raised within the chiefly traditions of Te Au O Tonga. Her marriage to Ernest Teiho Taripo connected her chiefly responsibilities with family and community life; they had five children. She was succeeded as Makea Karika Ariki by George Taripo Karika Ariki.
Father:
Pa George Karika
Her father, a decorated First World War soldier and Makea Karika Ariki from 1942 until his death in 1949.
Mother:
Rakera
Her mother.
husband:
Ernest Teiho Taripo
Her husband; they married in 1942 and had five children.
Daughter:
Pauline Taripo
One of her five children.
Daughter:
Tauira Taripo
One of her five children; also known as Vira.
Son:
George Taripo
One of her five children and her successor as Makea Karika Ariki.
Son:
Tiberio Taripo
One of her five children; also known as Rio.
Daughter:
Annie Taripo
One of her five children.
References
Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand
Biographical tribute documenting Margaret’s birth name, family, succession to the Makea Karika Ariki title, marriage, children, church membership, and community leadership.
2017
Cook Islands Christian Church Newsletter
Records the church and community memorial observances held for Dame Margaret Karika Ariki and her long service to the Cook Islands Girl Guides.
