August 11, 2014
Achievement award for Tihi Puanaki
Tihi Puanaki’s contribution to Te Waipounamu has been recognised in the Pride of New Zealand awards, with the educator and kapa haka stalwart being named regional winner of a lifetime achievement award.
Mrs Puanaki is a founding member of Te Kotahitanga, the longest running kapa haka group in the South Island.
In 1986 she started the south’s first kura kaupapa Maori, Te Kura Whakapumau i Te Reo Tuturu, and four years later opened the first immersion/bi-lingual initiative in a secondary school.
The Maori Party’s Te Tai Tonga candidate, Ngaire Button, says Mrs Puanaki has transformed the lives of hundreds of young people through her inspirational teaching.
The overall winners of the national Pride of New Zealand awards will be announced at a ceremony in Auckland on September 10.
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