Paki was born in
Huntly. His father was Wetere Paki of the Ngāti Whawhakia subtribe of the
Waikato tribe. His mother Frances Paki (née Brown) was from
Te Aupōuri, the northernmost Māori
iwi, or tribal group, in New Zealand. Paki worked as a farmer and
coalminer during his early career. and in the
1991 New Year Honours he was appointed a
Companion of the Queen's Service Order for community service. Dame Te Atairangikaahu died in 2006 after 54 years of marriage. Paki's son
Tuheitia Paki, succeeded his mother as Māori king. Paki had wanted a
tombstone for his wife, but members of the royal family of Tainui, called kāhui ariki, are not permitted to have monuments at their graves. Paki died on 22 September 2011, at the age of 85 after a long illness. His funeral was held at his home at Waahi Pā, Huntly, with dignitaries attending from as far away as the
Cook Islands,
Hawaii, and
Samoa. He was driven to Mount Taupiri in a
1930 Model A Ford, which he had helped restore. ==References==