OMEN
08-15-2006, 08:46 PM
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GREAT LEGACY: The Maori Queen in 2001 at a ceremony to mark the 35th anniversary of her coronation. Dame Te Ata died on Tuesday.
Seven days of mourning start today after the death of the Maori Queen, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu.
Dame Te Ata, one of the most influential and respected figures in Maoridom, died yesterday aged 75.
The longest-serving head of the Kingitanga movement, she died at Ngaruawahia's Turangawaewae Marae, where she was undergoing dialysis treatment.
Last night, Turangawaewae Marae, bathed in floodlights, was solemn and quiet, despite the large numbers of mourners inside.
The Maori Queen marked the 40th anniversary of her coronation in May, but had been frail for some time. Last month she spent three days at Waikato Hospital in Hamilton for treatment for respiratory problems. She turned 75 on July 23, but celebrations were kept low-key because of her health.
Tributes began flowing as news of her death spread.
Prime Minister Helen Clark said she was deeply saddened.
"A mighty kauri has fallen," Clark said. "With quiet dignity, humility, humour and warmth, Dame Te Atairangikaahu achieved a tremendous amount for Maoridom and New Zealand."
Clark said Dame Te Ata was a unifying figure who used her mana to bring Maori and Pakeha together and was at the forefront of many initiatives for Maori.
The Maori Party last night mourned the loss of "the heart of the Maori people".
Co-leader Tariana Turia said the Maori Queen had led her people with humility and was always distinguished by her grace.
"Everyone looked up to her. She was an immense presence in our lives; her dignity, her compassion and her visionary influence will be a huge loss to Maoridom. She inspired us to believe in ourselves, to love and nurture our children, and to always treasure our whanau."
Co-leader Pita Sharples said the Maori Queen inspired the respect of world leaders such as Nelson Mandela, diplomats, prime ministers, presidents, Pacific leaders and indigenous leaders – as well as being utterly loved at home.
"She was a unifying person – she brought people together through her genuine warmth, her astute leadership and her ever-generous manaaki (hospitality)."
Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia said the Maori Queen had left the country a great legacy.
"This is a very sad day for both Maori and Pakeha. She has been one of the great leaders of the modern time and left a great legacy," he said.
Senior Ngai Tahu figure Sir Tipene O'Regan said although he was saddened by the Maori Queen's death, it was also a time to celebrate her achievements.
"It's sad because such an iconic figure has died and is now lost to us, but I think it's a time to also celebrate the enormous contribution she has made," he said.
O'Regan said the Maori Queen had been a great supporter of the "Maori renaissance".
"In a non-political way, she has supported many movements for Maori redevelopment over the past four decades as well as encompassing the wider Polynesian culture.
"In that sense, she is a much-revered figure."
Born Princess Piki Mahuta, Dame Te Ata became Maori Queen in 1966 after the death of her father, King Koroki. She was held in high regard in and outside Maoridom and was regularly consulted by prime ministers throughout her reign.
The former Rakaumanga Primary School and Hamilton Diocesan School for Girls pupil worked as a shop assistant for a year after leaving school, married Huntly farmer Whatumoana Paki and had seven children. In 1999, she was named New Zealand's richest Maori, her worth thought to be about $9 million. However, she was known for being relaxed and informal.
The Maori Queen mixed with some of the world's most influential people, including former United States president Bill Clinton, the Queen and Pope John Paul II.
If tradition is followed, one of Dame Te Ata's five daughters or two sons will be named her successor before she is buried.
The role does not automatically fall to the first born. Other relatives had been considered in the past.
In 2003, the Maori Queen said she had been pondering her successor.
"My feeling at the moment is that the people are ready for a male heir to take over. But I haven't made up my mind yet."
National Party leader Don Brash greeted her death with "deep sadness" and planned to visit Turangawaewae Marae in the next few days to pay his respects.
The Dominion Post
GREAT LEGACY: The Maori Queen in 2001 at a ceremony to mark the 35th anniversary of her coronation. Dame Te Ata died on Tuesday.
Seven days of mourning start today after the death of the Maori Queen, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu.
Dame Te Ata, one of the most influential and respected figures in Maoridom, died yesterday aged 75.
The longest-serving head of the Kingitanga movement, she died at Ngaruawahia's Turangawaewae Marae, where she was undergoing dialysis treatment.
Last night, Turangawaewae Marae, bathed in floodlights, was solemn and quiet, despite the large numbers of mourners inside.
The Maori Queen marked the 40th anniversary of her coronation in May, but had been frail for some time. Last month she spent three days at Waikato Hospital in Hamilton for treatment for respiratory problems. She turned 75 on July 23, but celebrations were kept low-key because of her health.
Tributes began flowing as news of her death spread.
Prime Minister Helen Clark said she was deeply saddened.
"A mighty kauri has fallen," Clark said. "With quiet dignity, humility, humour and warmth, Dame Te Atairangikaahu achieved a tremendous amount for Maoridom and New Zealand."
Clark said Dame Te Ata was a unifying figure who used her mana to bring Maori and Pakeha together and was at the forefront of many initiatives for Maori.
The Maori Party last night mourned the loss of "the heart of the Maori people".
Co-leader Tariana Turia said the Maori Queen had led her people with humility and was always distinguished by her grace.
"Everyone looked up to her. She was an immense presence in our lives; her dignity, her compassion and her visionary influence will be a huge loss to Maoridom. She inspired us to believe in ourselves, to love and nurture our children, and to always treasure our whanau."
Co-leader Pita Sharples said the Maori Queen inspired the respect of world leaders such as Nelson Mandela, diplomats, prime ministers, presidents, Pacific leaders and indigenous leaders – as well as being utterly loved at home.
"She was a unifying person – she brought people together through her genuine warmth, her astute leadership and her ever-generous manaaki (hospitality)."
Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia said the Maori Queen had left the country a great legacy.
"This is a very sad day for both Maori and Pakeha. She has been one of the great leaders of the modern time and left a great legacy," he said.
Senior Ngai Tahu figure Sir Tipene O'Regan said although he was saddened by the Maori Queen's death, it was also a time to celebrate her achievements.
"It's sad because such an iconic figure has died and is now lost to us, but I think it's a time to also celebrate the enormous contribution she has made," he said.
O'Regan said the Maori Queen had been a great supporter of the "Maori renaissance".
"In a non-political way, she has supported many movements for Maori redevelopment over the past four decades as well as encompassing the wider Polynesian culture.
"In that sense, she is a much-revered figure."
Born Princess Piki Mahuta, Dame Te Ata became Maori Queen in 1966 after the death of her father, King Koroki. She was held in high regard in and outside Maoridom and was regularly consulted by prime ministers throughout her reign.
The former Rakaumanga Primary School and Hamilton Diocesan School for Girls pupil worked as a shop assistant for a year after leaving school, married Huntly farmer Whatumoana Paki and had seven children. In 1999, she was named New Zealand's richest Maori, her worth thought to be about $9 million. However, she was known for being relaxed and informal.
The Maori Queen mixed with some of the world's most influential people, including former United States president Bill Clinton, the Queen and Pope John Paul II.
If tradition is followed, one of Dame Te Ata's five daughters or two sons will be named her successor before she is buried.
The role does not automatically fall to the first born. Other relatives had been considered in the past.
In 2003, the Maori Queen said she had been pondering her successor.
"My feeling at the moment is that the people are ready for a male heir to take over. But I haven't made up my mind yet."
National Party leader Don Brash greeted her death with "deep sadness" and planned to visit Turangawaewae Marae in the next few days to pay his respects.
The Dominion Post