June 13, 2014
Ataahua kuia farewelled
Ataahua kuia farewelled
Thousands of mourners have been through Te Poho o Rawiri Marae in Gisborne this week to acknowledge the achievements of two of the region’s most significant kuia.
Rawinia Te Kani, a former custodian of the marae and a stalwart of many Maori and community groups including kohanga reo and the Waihirere kapa haka died on Monday at the age of 78.
She was buried today.
Her good friend Lady Lorna Ngata, the widow of Sir Henare Ngata, died on Tuesday aged 96.
Willie Te Aho, who was part of the ope which took Lady Lorna from Tauranga back to Gisborne, says it was a moving occasion.
"Tomorrow at 11am she will be taken to lie by Sir Henare Ngata at the Taruheru Cemetery in Turanganui a Kiwa so her combined with Auntie Rawinia Te Kani, it’s a huge loss for us of Tairawhiti and we spent this week acknowledging both of those beautiful kuia," he says.
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