It is about he being the acceptable Maori candidate and the biggest ariki in the caucus. |
This ensured no less than the maintenance of the tapu or sacred status of ariki, chiefs and people of rank. |
It was made up of different-ranking members, headed by chiefs called ariki and rangatira. |
Nothing perhaps evidences this better than the four great chiefs or ariki. |
He asked that a council of ariki or bluebloods from other iwi be set up to talk with and advise the King. |
This misdemeanour was, in Maori eyes, fatal to his prestige as an ariki and a war-leader. |