-
Related
Maori Queen Dame Te Atairangikaahu is being fondly remembered around the world.
Dame Te Ata died peacefully among her family including six of her seven children, her 25 grandchildren and one great grandchild on Tuesday night. The 75-year-old had been ill for some time and had been receiving dialysis treatment.
In the Cook Islands, the paramount chief of Takitumu Pa Tepaeru Ariki Mari, says the Cooks have lost a dear friend with the passing of the Maori Queen.
Pa Ariki says her relationship with the people of the Cook Islands and the Pacific region, has been a long one and she will be missed. He says the Maori Queen was selfless and a great source of inspiration as a traditional leader.
Queen Pa'arikinui of Rarotonga says Dame Te Ata was well respected throughout the Pacific.
A spokesperson for the Tongan royal household says condolences have been sent to the queen's family.
The King of Tonga is gravely ill so will not be able to attend Dame Te Ata's funeral. His daughter Princess Pilolevu is expected to attend in his place.
Overseas Maori are also paying their respects.
A service in Sydney on Wednesday night will mark her passing.
The service will be at Wairua Tapu in Redfern, which is the cornerstone of Sydney's Maori community.
New York's Second Avenue is a long way from Turangawaewae Marae and a bar called Waikiki Wally's isn't exactly marae.
But for members of the Manhattan whanau, it was a place to go to and remember Dame Te Ata. One of them was even named after her.
"Given that we're so far away from home, and it's not going to be feasible for us to get back to the other side of the world, we really are our own support network, and so this is a way for us to support each other," says Ataahua Papa of Tainui.
Because they couldn't get home, getting together was even more important.
The funeral will be held on Monday and family spokesperson, Tainui MP Nanaia Mahuta, says the full protocols of a tangihanga will be observed.
Dame Te Ata will lie in state at the Turangawaewae Marae before
being laid to rest on Taupiri mountain.
Add a Comment:
Post new comment