Miria Rua was born at Omahuru and grew up at Maungapohatu, moving to Waimana Valley after leaving school at Maungapohatu. She now lives at Whakarae pa.
Biographical sources
- "Miria Rua." Nga Mōrehu/The Survivors. Ed. Judith Binney and Gillian Chaplain. Auckland, N.Z.: Oxford UP, 1986. 130-149.
Biography
- "Miria Rua." Nga Mōrehu/The Survivors. Ed. Judith Binney and Gillian Chaplain. Auckland, N.Z.: Oxford UP, 1986. 130-149.
- This autobiographical account is drawn from conversations with Miria Rua on three occasions in 1978, and in 1984. Miria Rua recalls her years growing up at Maungapohatu where her father was one of Rua’s Levites or teachers of the faith of Iharaira and she tells of the teaching and spiritual customs practised by Rua and his followers. Miria Rua describes her experiences at school where she was punished for speaking Māori, her first marriage and subsequent treatment for the wharengaro which means in part, the inability to conceive, and she speaks of the customs surrounding pregnancy and childbirth at Maungapohatu. One of her most significant memories was the personal prophecy she received from Rua during her childhood. In later years she had another spiritual experience through the ministry of Hori Gage. In the conclusion of this account Miria Rua tells of the changing of names after Rua’s death and the hahunga [reburial of bones] for Rua’s eldest son Whatu and Miki Te Wakaunua in 1940.