Chief Atama Paparangi   (1817-1917)

Atama Paparangi was chief of the Taumai hapu of the Rarawa tribe.  He was a famous warrior and fought at Kororareka with Tamati Waaka Nene’s men against Hone Heke.  Atama also fought at Okaihau.  In later years he became patriarch of his tribe.  He lived at Mitimiti, on the coast between Hokianga and Whangape.

Occasionally Atama travelled down to Auckland, and appeared around the streets dressed in a frock coat and top hat.  He travelled to Auckland in 1901 to attend the official functions during the Royal visit by the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York. Goldie probably made his acquaintance at that time, although his first painting of Atama Paparangi dates from 1912.  Goldie was obviously keen to show Atama had a striking tattoo executed at Pupuwai by the famous tattooist Huitara.  Although not complete, the tattoo was a fine example of the ancient art.

The old chief stood over six feet high and was a hundred years old when he died in 1917.  Atama became one of Goldie’s favourite subjects in the 1930s.  He painted several portraits of the old chief after his death for submission to the Royal Academy and Paris Salon.

Vera Cummings became a pupil of Charles Goldie’s in about 1906 and continued to paint alongside Goldie, sharing his Maori sitters for the rest of her career.