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He tohu aroha ki a Raina Hokianga
Riana Reita Roiha, daughter of Te Rangikapurotu Ropiha of Kahungunu, Rangiane and manuhiri descent and Eliza Reita Stirling from Ngai Tahu, was born in Porangahau on July 22, 1926.

Her prestigious genealogy and upbringing held her steadfast throughout her lifetime's achievements. while Raina may have been one of 10 children, she accepted the challenges within the opportunities presented to her with fierce pride, as did her siblings.

Raina spent her primary school days at Porangahau, Pirinoa and Waipawa undertaking the elementary teachings of the Anglican Church while at Porangahau, the Minister being Reverend Dan Kaa at that time, Raina attended the District High School in Rotorua where she lived with her great-aunt who re-awoke within her great-niece the thirst she had for her faith, never wavering from her staunch beliefs during her lifetime. Raina also began her sporting career while in Rotorua, playing tennis, basketball and swimming, the sulphur baths an integral part of her life.

Raina returned to Porangahau before the end of World War II, meeting her husband-to-be Henare Hokianga who served with the 28th Maori battalion, directly after the war. From this union came a commitment to her husband's farm and three children.

Raina began a reputable career in hockey in 1947 when she became a rep player for the East Coat Hockey Association and with the closure of the coastal Association played for Central Hawkes Bay and finally the Hawkes Bay Association in 1950 along with two other Porangahau players. With the ardent support of her husband Raina was able to play hockey for Hawkes Bay until 1959, as well as hold administrative positions within the three unions over the 12 years. The staid disposition displayed by Raina as a player and leader earned captaincy of the representative teams in these same unions.

Raina turned to golf, becoming the senior champion for the first time in 1959 as a member of the Porangahau Golf Club, retaining that position 24 times up to 1991. Raina went further by joining the Waipukurau Golf Club to gain competition experience, winning the Open Championship there. She was a member of the Hawkes Bay-Poverty Bay Russell Grace team for nine years, achieving three victories as Ladies' Champion. she continued to conquer the golfing world throughout NZ - champion of the ladies section of the Maori Golf Tournament for three years, her lowest handicap being a two. It as with considerable success that Raina partnered Bob Stoddard in the HB Mixed Foursomes for 23 years. With the game came club captaincy, Madame President at Porangahau and life membership in 1988. She was also a member of the NZ Golfing executive and captain of the Maori Ladies Golfing Association. A most competitive woman who supported young players in both hockey and golf. Raina constantly sang the praises of her husband Henare for his ongoing support throughout her sporting career. According to Bob Stoddard she was the Hawkes Bay No.1 player in that era as a golfer.

The Porangahau community benefited from Raina's ongoing generosity. She supported the local school as a parent and grandparent, the ambulance, the sporting bodies, with a special affinity for the Anglican Church and her Marae.
Raina had a deep love for her Marae at Porangahau and put the administrative skills she gained in sport to full use, bearing the welfare of her people first and foremost in her mind.

The Maori Womens' Welfare League played a large part in Raina's lifetime too and the continuing charity of her character was awarded by life membership.

Raina was a perfectionist in appearance and as such she ensured that everything she taught and touched was what she perceived as ideal. She finally relinquished this period as a role model and took her place as a respected kuia of her people. A humble and quietly-spoken woman, who maintained an air of dignity when needing to express a matter of significant importance.

On May 14, 2010 Raina left this world knowing full well that the legacy that she upheld for her family had been carried out to the best of her ability. With absolute grace and humility she was always aware and vigilant of her identity.
Raina is survived by her three children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren.

No reira e te kuia o te kainga, ahakoa kua ngaro koe i a tatau, ka ora ai to wairua mo ake tonu.
Moe mai, moe mai tonu i roto i nga ringa a te Ariki.

(CHB Mail Tuesday August 10, 2010)