In a significant occasion for the island of Mitiaro, the daughter of the late Mii Tungane Upokoati O’Bryan, Te Maeu O Te Rangi Teikamata Ariki OBE, has been elected to assume the esteemed title once held by her mother.

Mii Tungane Elizabeth Kauvai was announced the new Te Maeu O Te Rangi Teikamata Ariki at the special election meeting held at Te Papae O Ngati Akatauira – Te Rongo o te Au Tapu, in Mitiaro, last Friday.

Kauvai will be coronated on November 29.

According to the tribe, this important transition marks not only a continuation of a legacy but also a new chapter in Mitiaro’s history.

Teokotai “Tai” Topa, Tutini Kavana o Ngati Teakatauira, the chief speaker for the entire tribe, said: “We welcome the kopu tangata to join this occasion in Mitiaro.”

Topa was very happy with the “peaceful” outcome that had no arguments, and for the support for Kauvai following the election.

He explained that there were four candidates and Kauvai received the most votes.

“In the meeting Mii was elected with a very high result,” Topa said. “With overwhelming support, she replaces her mother.”

Topa would like to express his deep appreciation to the iti tangata in Mitiaro and to the other tribes.

The coronation programme will be organised by the Mataiapo.

“Kua uipaanga te au Mataiapo no te porokarāmu, kua ariki te au Mataipo na ratou te au angaanga e rave ki runga i te enua,” he said.

The meeting was chaired by Tengarutuki Mataipo, Tuakeu Tangatapoto. The Kavana (Teokotai Topa) had to vacate the seat to avoid conflict of interest which was explained prior to the meeting proper since a family member was one of the candidates.

Mii Tungane Upokoati O’Bryan, Te Maeu O Te Rangi Teikamata Ariki OBE, who was affectionately known as “Aunty Mii”, passed away on August 31, 2024, in Rarotonga. She was aged 95.

Aunty Mii was invested with the chiefly title in February 1985, and was one of the longest-serving members of Te Are Ariki (House of Ariki).

She was born on October 14, 1928, on the island of Mitiaro to parents Upokoati Kaitui and Te Maeu O Te Rangi, one of 13 children.

In 1946, at the age of 18, she married Stuart Gordon O’Bryan at the Registry Office in Rarotonga. They both retired in Mitiaro. He passed away on July 4, 1993, and is buried in Mitiaro at the Ngati Teakatauira grounds.

Aunty Mii was awarded an Officer of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2013.