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Story: Whāngai – customary fostering and adoption

Whāngai children

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Sharon Ferretti married Wi Rikihana and they took two children as whāngai – Taipari Rikihana (the older child) and Urutakai (the younger). Sadly, Wi Rikihana passed away at the age of 40, but Sharon continued to whāngai the children.

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How to cite this page

Basil Keane, Whāngai – customary fostering and adoption – Whāngai in modern times, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/video/31044/whangai-children (accessed 24 June 2026).

Story by Basil Keane, published 10 May 2011, updated 1 June 2017.