Makereti’s cloak - an extraordinary life

This kahu huruhuru (feather cloak) belonged to famous Māori tourist guide Makereti Papakura, also known as Guide Maggie. Makereti was a guide to British royalty and an Oxford University student during her extraordinary life.

Guide to royalty

Makereti Papakura (1873-1930) was from the tribes Ngāti Wāhiao and Te Arawa. She was raised in Whakarewarewa, the thermal region near Rotorua, by her grand uncle Maihi Te Kakauparāoa and great aunt Mārara Marotaua. There, she became famous as a tour guide.

In 1901, Makereti guided the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York through Whakarewarewa. This event made her a darling of the press and gained her international attention.

From 1909 to 1911, Makereti put her talent and energy into organising a group of her people to tour as Māori cultural performers to Australia and Britain.

Oxford scholar

In 1912, Makereti married her second husband, Richard Staples-Browne, a wealthy Englishman from Oxfordshire, where she settled.

Oxford University was close and, in 1927, Makereti enrolled in a Bachelor of Science degree in Anthropology. She recorded her childhood and tribal customs as part of her studies but tragically died in 1930 before completing her thesis.

Lasting legacy

Makereti's writings were later published as a book, Old Time Maori, which remains a lasting legacy of her extraordinary life and tribal history. Makereti was survived by her son from her first marriage, Te Aonui Dennan.

Her feather cloak originally belonged to her mother.