At 74 years old, Poaru “Piu” Poaru still rises early each morning to walk the hills and tend his crops.

Last week Friday, he took on another responsibility after he was invested with the title of Rupe Rangatira at the Tu Mata Pou Rangi marae in Takuvaine, surrounded by family and guests.

The aka’uru’uru (investiture) ceremony marked the continuation of a lineage of traditional leadership, as Poaru follows in the footsteps of his mother, the late Nooapii Aiturau (nee Rupe) – affectionately known as “Mama Apii” – who held the title until her passing at age 93 in September 2021.

Like many traditional titles today, the Rupe Rangatira title did not come without contention.

Some family members support Poaru’s investiture, while others back Janette Browne, who held a separate ceremony the following day on Saturday at Taputapuatea.

Tensions flared during the ceremony on Friday when Ngarima George and a group of protestors staged a demonstration outside the marae.

In response, Taoro Strickland Brown, who was seated under the marquee, ran toward the protestors, shouting and waving a spear. The investiture proceeded without further incident, and the protestors eventually dispersed.

The event began with emcee Vaipo Mataora welcoming guests followed by an opening prayer from Orometua Metu Une.

Taunga Karakia George Nicholls led Poaru onto the sacred marae, accompanied by his granddaughters Tu-Te-Maeva and Mele Poaru.

Traditional elements followed: Itaaka Rangatira Meleaone Tumii dressed Poaru with the tatua pito, and her husband Vaine Tumii, representing the Rupe Taniela line, tied the tatua pakuivi.

Potikitaua Anau Manarangi anointed the pare (crown) with water drawn at 4am from the Arai-Te-Tonga puna vai before placing it upon Poaru.

In a gesture of acceptance, Poaru bit into a pig’s ear carried onto the marae by warriors.

Poaru and his wife Maryanne (from the Strickland/Glassie family) are parents to six children.

Speaking on behalf of Poaru, Komono, Upokoina O Uakea Konito Pakoti, said he was approached seven months ago to help identify the rightful successor to the title.

He arrived in Rarotonga two weeks before the ceremony to support the process.

“I want to praise God for His goodness,” Pakoti said. “We didn’t do anything in harshness. Everything was in peace and prayer. God, who sends rain on all, sent sunshine on us today.”

Pakoti said several family meetings were held to present genealogies and discuss succession.

“I told Susan (Love) this title doesn’t belong to you to bestow,” Pakoti said, recalling his advice to those questioning the process.

“We listened to everyone and made our decision based on our conditions – not Janette’s (Janette Browne).”

According to Pakoti, the consensus was to uphold Poaru as the rightful successor.

“His mother, Mama Apii, was the last titleholder.”

According to the family, the succession of the Rupe Toa title holders are as follows: Rupe Toa – 1700s; Tepaeruariki Rupetoa – 1823; Raea Taiava Rupetoa – 1800s; Caretaker Teremanuia (Ngere Ruaine); Nooapii Ruaine Aiturau Rupetoa – 1900s–2021; Poaru “Piu” Poaru – current.

Pakoti explained that while Janette’s lineage is from “te mua tangata” – their “mua tangata” person was the uncle of Raea. Raea’s father was Taiava and the older brother was Rupe Tamaiti, who was training to become an orometua at the time in Aitutaki so he declined it in favour of a religious calling.

Pakoti added that when Tepaeruariki went to Aitutaki she brought back Raea – “that’s who we are – a direct line”.

A statutory declaration filed in the Land Court on August 12, 1998, by Nooapii “Ruaine” Aiturau, also known as Tiau Aiturau, confirmed that he reclaimed the title of Rupe Rangatira on July 29, 1998, from Tom Tom Marsters who had been looking after it. Aiturau inherited the title from his grandfather, Raea Rupe.

In the declaration, he stated: “I will place the title on my son (Piu) Poaru Poaru whenever I have to leave the Cook Islands.”

Despite the dispute, Poaru’s supporters are confident in the legitimacy of his succession and are looking ahead with unity and peace in mind.