Atama Paparangi (1817 - 1917) was a Northern warrior Chief of the Rarawa Tribe who fought at Kororareka, Bay of Islands against Hone Heke and also at Okaihau, Northland. In later years, as a patriarch of his tribe, he lived at Mitimiti on the coast between Hokianga and Whangape. At over six foot tall with an intricate facial moko executed by the famous tattooist Huitara, Atama presented a striking figure. Photos exist of Goldie trimming Atama's whiskers to better expose this fine tattooing. During his occasional visits to Auckland, Atama often adopted European dress donning top hat and frock coat. During the 1901 royal visit by the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, Atama attended the official functions where it is thought he first met C F Goldie. A warm friendship developed and in 1914 on Atama's receipt of an earlier portrait, Atama Paparangi, now housed in the collection of the Auckland Museum, he wrote a poem of tribute to his friend, 'Mr Goldie, The Painter of Portraits'. Over the course of time Goldie submitted several portraits of this favoured subject to the Royal Academy, London and Paris Salon. Atama was a hundred years old at the time of his death.

Ref: C F Goldie: His Life & Painting and C F Goldie: Prints, Drawings & Criticism, Alister Taylor & Jan Glen, 1979